Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Fagaceae
Botanical Name
Quercus alba
Plant Common Name
White Oak
General Description
Large, robust and long-lived, the North American white oak is truly a regal tree when mature. It develops a large, rounded crown and strong, muscular branches. Hailing from a large expanse of eastern North America, this large deciduous tree has peeling, gray to brownish bark that forms scaly plates and its durable, attractive wood is valued for furniture making. They are slow-growing but have strong wood and can live for several hundred years.
The flowers appear in spring before the leaves unfurl. The male flowers appear first. These greenish catkins dangle in the wind and unload lots of airborne pollen. These are quickly followed by the small, reddish female flowers that appear on the new twigs at the base of the new leaves. Its smooth, oval, brown acorns appear singly and have light orange bumpy caps. These are fully mature in fall. The deeply lobed leaves appear in mid-spring. These have distinctly rounded lobes, prominent veins and may be blushed with burnished pink when they first emerge. The summer foliage is deep green, sometimes with a blue-green overtone, and in autumn it changes to shades of dark red and burgundy.
White oaks naturally exist along many topographies and can be found growing in many soil types, but most typically they are upland trees that grow in fertile soils with good drainage. They do not transplant well, so they must be planted when relatively young. This oak is not susceptible to sudden oak death.
Spectacular and awe-inspiring perhaps no other tree can look as magnificent alone in a large lawn or meadow. Wildlife also appreciates its acorns.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 9
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
50'-70' / 15.2m - 21.3m
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Width
50'-80' / 15.2m - 24.4m
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Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring
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Native To
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Texas, Canada
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Red, Light Green, Chartreuse
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green, Pink
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Red, Crimson, Dark Red
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Spotted/Mottled
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
Yes
