White Oak
Quercus alba · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree and Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard wild species with no specific named cultivar
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9
About This Tree
A large, majestic deciduous tree with a broad, rounded crown, sturdy spreading branches, and dense foliage that provides deep shade
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, simple leaves with 7 to 9 rounded lobes, 4 to 7 inches long, bright green above and paler beneath, turning deep red to purplish-brown in autumn
Bark Characteristics
Light gray to whitish, shallowly fissured into vertical blocks or scaly ridges, becoming deeply furrowed on very old trunks
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and central North America
Growing Season
Spring leaf-out with pale green to pinkish leaves, flowering in mid-spring, dropping acorns in autumn, winter dormancy from late fall to early spring
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred; moderate watering needs when young, highly drought-tolerant once established
Mature Size
Height of 50 to 80 feet, spread of 50 to 80 feet, slow to moderate growth rate, lifespan often exceeding 300 years
Special Characteristics
Highly durable and dense hardwood timber prized for furniture and shipbuilding, excellent fall color, strong wind and drought resistance
Wildlife & Ecology
Acorns provide essential mast food for numerous mammals and birds, supports hundreds of caterpillar species, and provides critical nesting habitat