White Oak
Quercus alba · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree, Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
None specified; typical species form
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9
About This Tree
A stately, long-lived tree with a broad, rounded crown and massive horizontal branches when grown in the open. It has a slow to moderate growth rate and is known for its impressive longevity, often living several centuries.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves, 4–8 inches long. They feature 7–9 deep, rounded lobes with smooth (entire) margins and no bristles at the tips. The upper surface is dark green to blue-green, while the underside is a paler, glaucous green.
Bark Characteristics
Light gray to nearly white, often broken into small, overlapping thin scales or plates. As the tree matures, the bark can develop deep furrows and ridges on the lower trunk.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and Central North America, from Quebec to Florida and west to Texas and Minnesota
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring (often with a pinkish hue); flowers in spring (catkins) with new foliage; enters dormancy in late autumn after turning reddish-brown
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for best development but is moderately shade-tolerant when young. Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soils; possesses good drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Reaches 50–80 feet in height with a similar or even wider spread; can reach 100 feet in ideal forest conditions. Trunk diameter typically 2–4 feet at maturity.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for its high-quality, water-resistant timber; excellent fall color ranging from brown to rich burgundy; long-lived and exceptionally sturdy; sensitive to root zone disturbance during construction.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical ecological species; provides acorns which are a primary food source for over 180 species of birds and mammals (deer, squirrels, turkeys). It supports hundreds of species of Lepidoptera caterpillars, forming the base of many forest food webs.