White Oak
Quercus alba · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree, Timber Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (wild type, no specific named cultivar identified)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.
About This Tree
A large, majestic deciduous tree with a broad, rounded crown, sturdy branches, moderate to slow growth rate, and deeply lobed leaves.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves with 7 to 9 rounded lobes, deeply cut sinuses, smooth margins, bright green in summer turning reddish-purple or brown in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Light gray to whitish, shallowly fissured into narrow, scaly vertical blocks or plates, becoming more rugged with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern and central North America, well-adapted to temperate forest environments.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, produces flowers in spring, drops acorns in autumn, and enters winter dormancy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun, moderate watering when young, highly drought-tolerant once established, prefers well-drained soil.
Mature Size
Reaches heights of 50 to 80 feet with an equal or greater spread, growing at a slow to moderate rate with a long lifespan exceeding several centuries.
Special Characteristics
High timber value for furniture and whiskey barrels, excellent drought and pollution tolerance, striking fall color.
Wildlife & Ecology
Acorns provide essential food for numerous mammals and birds, and the tree serves as an important host for hundreds of caterpillar species.