White Oak
Quercus alba · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree, Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
None specified (Typical species)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-9
About This Tree
A stately, long-lived tree with a broad, rounded crown and wide-spreading branches. It is characterized by its massive stature at maturity and structural strength.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves, 4-8 inches long with 7-9 deep, rounded lobes. Dark green on top and pale or glaucous underneath; turns deep red or wine-brown in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Light gray to white, often appearing as thin, overlapping scales or shallowly furrowed blocks on older specimens.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern and Central North America
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring (April/May), produces catkins in spring, acorns mature in one season, enters dormancy in late autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun preferred; moderate water needs; highly adaptable to various soil types but thrives in well-drained, acidic to neutral soil.
Mature Size
Height: 50-80 feet; Spread: 50-80 feet; Slow to moderate growth rate; can live over 300 years.
Special Characteristics
Excellent long-term shade tree; high timber value for furniture and whiskey barrels; significant fall color; outstanding drought tolerance once established.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical ecological species; acorns provide essential food for squirrels, deer, and turkeys; supports hundreds of species of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) larvae.