Oak tree

White Oak

White Oak, native to the entire eastern half of the United States, in habitats ranging from dry forests and fields to old woodlands and down slopes.

Like many members of the White Oak group, the undersides of its leaves are white-green, and its wood is a light-colored beige that is almost white when freshly cut; hence its common name.

Oak trees are the most important timber tree of the White Oak group and in fact one of the most important hardwoods, with its hard, heavy, tough wood used as lumber for beams, railroad ties, flooring, barrels, furniture, and many other uses.

Its canopy is more spreading that most other trees in closely-packed mature forests or in open fields, and its fall color is often reddish-brown to reddish-purple, one of the best Oaks in this regard.

White Oak acorns are relatively large and often borne in great abundance. It may reach 80' tall by 100' wide at maturity, when found in the open. As the flagship member of the White Oak group and as a member of the Beech Family, it is related to the Beeches, Chestnuts, and other Oaks.

Planting Requirements

White Oak prefers rich, deep, moist, well-drained, acidic soils, but adapts well to dry and average soils that are neutral to slightly alkaline in pH. It thrives in full sun to partial sun (but is shade tolerant in youth) and is found in zones 4 to 9.

Potential Problems

White Oak is generally a healthy and long-lived oak, with regular but minor cosmetic damage to its leaves and twigs due to chewing insects and pathogens.

Identifying traits

Its fruits (acorns) only take a single season to develop, a prime characteristic of the White Oak group. They fill out during the summer and ripen in early to mid-autumn (upper left), often with heavy fruit crops.

The growth habit of an aged White Oak may be the most majestic of any Oak (admirers of the rugged and bold-textured Bur Oak, or of the southern Live Oak draped in Spanish Moss, will disagree). The wide-spreading growth habit of a mature White Oak, with its heavy horizontal limbs draped in layers of bark in winter, catkins in spring (top photo), acorns in summer, and reddish fall color in autumn, is a sight to behold.

The white oak's majestic size and spreading crown bring a sense of maturity and permanence to any garden. In the spring, the unfolding leaves are velvety pin, and in the fall, the entire tree turns a burnt orange to deep rich carmine red. Oaks are always among the last to turn color and often retain their leaves into early November.

Young oaks may keep their leaves all winter providing cover for birds and other animals.


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	>>Home > White Oak White Oak, native to the entire eastern half of the United States, in habitats ranging from dry forests and fields to old woodlands and down slopes. Like many members of the White Oak group, the undersides of its leaves are white-green, and its wood is a light-colored beige that is almost white when freshly cut; hence its common name. Oak trees are the most important timber tree of the White Oak group and in fact one of the most important hardwoods, with its hard, heavy, tough wood used as lumber for beams, railroad ties, flooring, barrels, furniture, and many other uses. Its canopy is more spreading that most other trees in closely-packed mature forests or in open fields, and its fall color is often reddish-brown to reddish-purple, one of the best Oaks in this regard. White Oak acorns are relatively large and often borne in great abundance. It may reach 80' tall by 100' wide at maturity, when found in the open. As the flagship member of the White Oak group and as a member of the Beech Family, it is related to the Beeches, Chestnuts, and other Oaks. Planting Requirements White Oak prefers rich, deep, moist, well-drained, acidic soils, but adapts well to dry and average soils that are neutral to slightly alkaline in pH. It thrives in full sun to partial sun (but is shade tolerant in youth) and is found in zones 4 to 9. Potential Problems White Oak is generally a healthy and long-lived oak, with regular but minor cosmetic damage to its leaves and twigs due to chewing insects and pathogens. Identifying traits Its fruits (acorns) only take a single season to develop, a prime characteristic of the White Oak group. They fill out during the summer and ripen in early to mid-autumn (upper left), often with heavy fruit crops. The growth habit of an aged White Oak may be the most majestic of any Oak (admirers of the rugged and bold-textured Bur Oak, or of the southern Live Oak draped in Spanish Moss, will disagree). The wide-spreading growth habit of a mature White Oak, with its heavy horizontal limbs draped in layers of bark in winter, catkins in spring (top photo), acorns in summer, and reddish fall color in autumn, is a sight to behold. The white oak's majestic size and spreading crown bring a sense of maturity and permanence to any garden. In the spring, the unfolding leaves are velvety pin, and in the fall, the entire tree turns a burnt orange to deep rich carmine red. Oaks are always among the last to turn color and often retain their leaves into early November. Young oaks may keep their leaves all winter providing cover for birds and other animals.

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White Oak

Planting Requirements

Potential Problems

Identifying traits