Quercus alba, commonly known as White Oak, is a large deciduous shade tree renowned for its strength and long life. White Oak is a hardwood tree commonly used in furniture construction, flooring, and wine barrels. White Oak can be found throughout eastern North America, and is the national tree of the United States.
A slow grower, White Oak eventually attains heights of 50 to 80 feet and over 100 feet in the wild. It grows best in well drained, moist, deep, and slightly acidic soils, and prefers full sun. White Oak is drought tolerant and has modest water needs.
White Oak is also known for its fruit. Acorns appear in spring and vary in color from brown to yellow to varying shades of green. White Oak trees typically do not bear acorns until they are 20 years old (the lifespan of a White Oak is measured in centuries, commonly surpassing 500 years). White Oak acorns generally do not require stratification, and if planted in autumn will sink roots during winter and produce shoots in spring.
White Oak transplants best when it is young and planted in spring. Young trees are pyramidal in shape, but acquire a round crown as they mature. Leaves are pink when they first emerge, becoming green as the tree flowers. Autumn colors range from brown to dark red or purple, with brown leaves enduring into winter.
White Oak is commonly grown as a shade tree or street tree, though if given sufficient room, it can also be planted as an ornamental lawn tree.