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Woody > Quercus > Quercus alba > Quercus alba

Quercus alba


White Oak, Eastern White Oak




Origin:  Native to North America. This species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as least concern.
Family
Fagaceae
Genus
Quercus
Species
alba
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (deciduous)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 9
Canadian Hardiness Zone
4
RHS Hardiness Zone
H7 - H3
Temperature (°C)
-37 - (-1)
Temperature (°F)
-35 - 30
Height
24 - 33 m
Spread
20 - 30 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
AprilMay
General Description
A large tree, often a rounded pyramidal form, leaves frequently blemished and best suited to the naturalized landscape.
Landscape
Limited use in the cultured landscape since there are many more attractive options. Suited to naturalization projects and park-like landscapes.
Cultivation
Moist, acidic, well drained soil in full sun. Drought tolerant.
Shape
Irregularly spreading, often horizontally, large and rounded crown.
Growth
Medium
ID Characteristic
Shallow lobed leaves, shiny green on top and dull underside.
Pests
Tent caterpillar, gypsy moth, oak leaftier, oak leaf-roller, scarlet oak sawfly, anthracnose, oak tatters, oak wilt and mistletoe.
Habitat
Dry slopes, low lands, ravines and valleys at an altitude of 0-1,600 m.
Bark/Stem Description
Finely fissured, scaly plates, twigs maturing and glabrous.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Ovoid, pointed and 3 mm in length.
Leaf Description
Elliptic, frequently blemished, 3-9 deep rounded lobes, a cuneate base, a deep red midrib and 5 - 7 secondary veins on either side of the midvein, 8-20 cm long and 5-10 cm wide.
Fruit Description
Acorns, long and egg shaped. About 2 - 3 cm in length.
Colour Description
Bark is light grey. Leaves have a bright green top, whitish-grey underside and are reddish-brown in autumn.
Texture Description
Smooth and thin.
Notable Specimens
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States of America. The oldest white oak in North America (600 years old).
Propagation
Commonly through seed.
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