The White
Oak (Quercus alba) makes an outstanding shade tree, with a
very wide spread, and it almost never drops branches.
Despite
its nameddly, it's not usually white, but rather an ashy grey.
This is probably the most beautiful (and most valuable) of
the oaks.
Growing
conditions
Fairly tolerant
of a variety of habitats, and may be found on ridges, in valleys,
and in between, and in dry and moist habitats, and in moderately
acid and alkaline soils. Does not tolerate urban conditions
well (can't stand soil compaction and changes in soil levels).
Uses
Its wood is the best and most valuable
of the white oaks, as it has a closed cell structure that
does not allow water to pass and is relatively rot resistant.
It was the wood used in mission oak furniture in the Craftsman
style in the Arts and Crafts movement. It is used in making
wine and whiskey barrels, indoor/outdoor furniture, in construction,
ship-building, tools, and even weapons (Japanese martial artists
use it for bokken and jo, because of its density, strength,
resiliency and relatively low chance of splintering if broken).
The acorns are much less bitter than the
acorns of red oaks, very much appreciated by turkeys, wood
ducks, pheasants, grackles, jays, nuthatches, thrushes, woodpeckers,
rabbits, squirrels and deer, not to mention the only food
that Bucculatrix luteella and Bucculatrix ochrisuffusa caterpillars
will eat.
Fun
Facts
Mystical attributes include guarding against
evil (the stake used to kill a vampire supposedly must be
made of white oak).
The Old Charter Oak has served as the
official state tree of Illinois since being selected by a
vote of school children. There are two "official"
White Oaks serving as state trees, one located on the grounds
of the governor's mansion, and the other in a schoolyard in
the town of Rochelle. The white oak is also the state tree
of Connecticut and Maryland.
Size
65-85 feet tall, and becomes
quite massive, since its lower branches reach far out sideways,
parallel to the ground. Often as wide as it is tall.
Form & Shape
In the forest it reaches a
magnificent height, in the open it develops into a massive broad-topped
tree with great limbs striking out at wide angles.
Bark
Starts
out bright green, then reddish-green and finally a light, ash-gray,
and peels slightly from all angles.
Leaves
The oblong leaves
alternate, and are 5-9" long, 3-4" wide, with 7-9
lobes. In spring they are a delicate silvery pink, with a soft
downy blanket, so the trees look mistily beautiful for several
days, until the leaves slowly turn a deep glossy green on the
top, pale underneath. In the fall, the leaves turn red brown,
and often stay on the tree throughout the winter.
Flowers
Flowers come out
in May, when the leaves are about a third grown. The females
grow in hairy aments 2-3" long, with a hairy, bright yellow
calyx with 6-8 lobes. The males are borne on short peduncles,
and are reddish and hairy.
Fruit
The acorns are usually sessile (stalked),
¾" long, and fall in October.
Life expectancy
Very long-lived. Some specimens
are known to have lived over 600 years.
