Quercus alba
white oak
White oak is included in a group of oaks categorized by that
same name. Other white oak family members include the bur
oak, chestnut oak and
Oregon white oak. This oak is immediately recognized by rounded lobes
plus the lobe tips never have bristles like red oak. Considered the most
majestic tree of the eastern hardwoods, the tree is also touted as having the
best all-purpose wood. Click on the white oak plate for specific botanical
features.
Photos by Steve Nix
Start with the Tree Finder if you are not sure what kind of tree you have!
White Oak Habitat and
Culture
(silvics courtesy of Silvics Manual, USFS)
Fire
Effects On White Oak
(courtesy of U.S. Forest Service, Fire Effects)
North American Timber Types
(courtesy About Forestry)
The Great American
Hardwood Forest
(courtesy About Forestry)
Recent Champion: 96' height, 119' spread, 382" circumf., Wye
Mills State Park., Maryland
National Register
of Big Trees
Oak Wood Tech Sheet
(fact sheet courtesy of USFS in .pdf)
White Oak Images
(courtesy of ForestryImages.org)
Historic
White Oak Images
(courtesy of University of Chicago and the Library of Congress)
Buy a
White Oak Online
(Nurseries selling seedlings online)
Range Map
-The native range of white oak, USFS.
Quick Stats
Common Names: stave oak
Habitat: Growth is good on all but the driest shallow soils.
Description: Outstanding tree among all trees and is widespread across eastern North America
Uses: Its high-grade wood is useful for many things, an important one being staves for barrels, hence the name stave oak
