Quercus alba L.

Northern White Oak

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

White Oak is a large native deciduous tree in the Beech family (Fagaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. White Oak occurs in a wide range of habitats from bottomland forests to dry ridges. It is a large tree reaching heights of 100-120 feet. The bark is gray and flakey. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, deciduous, glabrous, with 7-11 deep blunt lobes. The number and depth of lobes vary, even on a single tree. Generally, leaves in full sun have more and deeper lobes than those in the shade. The leaves are dark green above and whitish below. Leaves become reddish or purple-red before falling. Many leaves will persist on the tree over winter. Male flowers are produced in drooping yellow-green catkins. Female flowers are solitary or paired on a short spike. The fruit is a nut. The cup encloses about ¼ of the nut, and has tightly appressed scales. The fruit mature in one year. White Oak is considered the most important of the White Oak group for timber. The wood is dense, strong, and resistant to splintering. It has been used for furniture, flooring, handles, barrels, and for railroad cross ties. The USS Constitution was constructed utilizing white oak timber. White Oak acorns provide food for more than 180 different kinds of birds and mammals. White Oak is often cultivated as a shade tree. Its large size limits use in small landscapes. White Oaks are somewhat slow growing, but may live for more than 600 years.--A. Diamond

**

Native FACU (NWPL)

**