description
Quercus alba, commonly called the white oak, is a tree of the Fagaceae family.
The lower branches of the white oak are likely to extend
far out laterally, parallel to the ground; and on maturity this tree can reach vertical
heights of 65–85 feet (19.5-25.5 m). White oak may live in excess of 200–300 years, older instances have occurred. At around 20
years the tree's sexual maturity begins, however it will not produce large crops of acorns until it is 50 years of age.
White oak bark is a light ash-gray and peels somewhat from the top, bottom
and/or sides. In the spring its young silvery-pink leaves are delicate
and covered with a soft, blanket-like down. The petioles are short, and the
pale green and downy leaves will cluster close to the ends of the shoots.
The leaves grow to be 5-8.5 inches in length and 2.75-4.5 inches in width and
have an upper surface that is deep glossy green. In the autumn they will usually turn red or brown,
however depending on climate, site, and individual tree genetics, some white oak
trees are nearly always red, and can even be even purple in autumn.
The lobes can be
shallow (extending only less than halfway to the midrib) or they can be deep and somewhat
branching. The acorns are usually sessile, and grow to 0.5-1 inch in length,
falling in early October.
Also known as:
white oak