Genus:
Quercus
Species: alba
The White Oak tree can grow from 80 to 100 feet tall ,3 to 4 feet in diameter around the trunk and can spread from 50 to 80 feet. The Oak tree grows upright and its bark is whitish gray . The life span of the Oak tree, if undisturbed is 500 to 600 years old. The Oak tree's leaves have 7 to 9 rounded points which resemble finger like lobes. In May and early June male flowers appear in slender catkins. Female flowers are not noticeable to the naked eye. The Oak tree's seeds are commonly known as acorns, they are small oval shaped nuts with a cap and they are mostly eaten by squirrels ,chipmunks and deer.
The Oak tree grows in many different habitats. It can grow from seacoasts to high mountain slopes. It also can grow from wet lowlands to dry mesas. When the White oak is only a seedling it produces a taproot. The taproot plunges into the ground during a drought to bring the tree water. This taproot disappears with age and then a fibrous root system with tapered laterals grows.
The white Oak tree is valued for its timber products such as furniture, flooring and pallets, cabinet making, barrel making, interior finishes, and for heavy construction. The Oak tree also produces acorns which are a food source for wildlife.
The white Oak is the most common tree species of the Eastern United States and is definitely not endangered.
by Will J. R. 2001
Bibliography:
"The Deciduous White Oak", Petrides, George A. (1972). A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company
Macquitty, Miranda. p.41. Trees. New York: Alfred A . Knopf, Inc. 1992
"White Oak", http://www.smo.f2s.com/tree/whiteoak.html (Nov 2000).
"Oak", http://www.encarta.msn.com/ (Nov 2000).
"Plant List and Procedures for Landscaping Under Native Oaks of the Central Valley", http://www.danr.ucop.edu/ihrmp/oak84.htm
"Quercus alba: White Oak" http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/ONDR/Education/ohiotrees/oakwhite.htm
"Trees of Western North Carolina" http://wildwnc.org/trees/Quercus_alba.html, (June 2001).
"White Oak" http://www.domtar.com/arbre/english/p_chbla.htm, (March 2001).
"White Oak" http://www.treehelp.com/trees/oak/species-oak-types-white.html, (March 2001).