White Oak (Quercus alba)
The white oak is a large broadleaved species in the family Fagaceae, which also includes beeches and chestnuts.
This family of woody-plants is vital to the hardwood forests of the northern hemisphere as they offer forage to wildlife and are economically valued for their timber. These trees are climate, elevation, moisture and soil type tolerant expanding their range to include a variety of conditions. Trees of this species live up to 300 years.
While a white oak in the forest may grow to impressive heights, 80-100ft, if left in an open area, these trees tend to maintain their lower branches and extending them to great lengths leading to the tree taking on a halved-sphere shape.
Trees will begin to produce fruit, acorns, on a large scale at the age of 50. In May, both male and female flowers emerge. Male flowers are small and green. They emerge in large clusters on a catkin. Female flowers are slightly larger than the male flowers and red in color. They will bud in small clusters near the leaf axils. Once pollinated the female flowers will give rise to fruit.
The acorns are ovoid in shape, up to an inch in length and are equipped with a roughly textured cap. White oaks will give up their acorns in the early weeks of Fall. Once an acorn is on the ground and in favorable conditions it is common for them to germinate within a few weeks.
The leaves typically emerge from the bud with a pink hue in an alternating pattern down the branch. As the color fills and the leaves take shape through the spring, the pink color will transition to a yellow and then to a glossy green. Foliage comes off of the tree as shades of red and brown. Individual leaves measure 5-8.5in in length and 3-4.5in at width displaying 7-9 rounded lobes.
The bark of a white oak is lite-grey and textured as long scales running up and down the tree.
In conclusion the white oak is a large and hardy tree that is a staple in middle to eastern American forests. Their large trunks and outstretched branches easily close up the canopy, while also providing food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. If cared for these trees will display their annual yellow-to-green-to-red foliage show for centuries to come.
Notes:
-Non-tolerant of urban pollutions
-“The Tree of Hope” from the 1994 film “The Shawshank Redemption” was a White Oak
-In 2002, the Wye Oak of Wye Mills, Maryland, fell revealing it to be 450 years old
Planting:
-Full-sun
-Deep and well-drained, acidic to neutral soils
-Growth rate of ~1ft/year
sources:
“Quercus Alba.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Oct. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_alba.
“Quercus Alba (White Oak).” Minnesota Wildflowers, www.minnesotawildflowers.info/tree/white-oak.
“White Oak” U.S. Department of Ariculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_qual.pdf
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