Oak, White (AE)
At a Glance
Latin Name: Quercus alba
Zones: 3-9
Other common names: White oak, fork-leaf white oak, stave oak
Mature Height: 80-100 ft. as wide or wider, than tall, leaves are 4″ to 8″ long
Soil/Climate: A native North American tree, the white oak prefers full sun, but has a moderate tolerance to partial shade. It can adapt to a variety of soil textures, but prefers deep, moist, well-drained soils, slow growing
Notes: White Oak is a superior shade tree for a large area like golf courses, cemeteries and parks. It is one of the most attractive oaks, long-lived and desirable. The wood is used for a number of things including flooring, furniture, interior finishing and cabinet making. Its cellular structure makes it water and rot resistant and because of this is used for wine barrels. Roasted and ground can be used for wilderness coffee. Native Americans actually stored acorn gruel which accumulated a mold growth. This growth was scraped off and the remains were used to treat sores and inflammations. The White Oak is known as the Tree of Strength and Endurance.
Wildlife: The acorns are much less bitter than the acorns of red oaks. They are small relative to most oaks but are one of the best food sources for birds, hoofed browsers, and rodents such as turkeys, wood ducks, pheasants, grackles, jays, nuthatches, thrushes, woodpeckers, rabbits, squirrels and deer. The leaf buds also are eaten by several different birds and all parts of the tree are a favorite deer food.
Brine tolerant
Purchase Size: 2-3ft.
USDA NRCS Species Information