Quercus alba
Common name: 
(Eastern) White Oak
Pronunciation: 
kwer-KUS AL-ba
Family: 
Fagaceae
Genus: 
Quercus
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf deciduous tree, to 80(100) ft [24(30) m] tall, pyramidal when young, rounded when older.  Bark pale gray to brown, exfoliating plates, ridged.  Leaves alternate, simple, 10-20 cm long, have 3-4 rounded lobes per side, margin entire, blade tapers to the petiole [wedge-shaped, cuneate], foliage has a clean look, dull mid-green, changing to orange and burgundy (or red brown) in fall.  Acorn solitary or paired, 1-3 cm long, ovoid-oblong, 1/4 to 1/3 covered by the cap (cupule); ripens the first year.
  • Sun, found on many soil types, does best on deep, moist, well-drained, acid soils.   Transplants with difficulty.  Production in the nursery is difficult and growth slow.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 3    Native from Maine to Florida, west to Minnesota and Texas.
  • alba: white
  • Salem, Oregon: Bush Prairie Park, west of Bush House.
  • Oregon State Univ. campus: northeast of Benton Hall.
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  • plant habit, spring

    plant habit, spring

  • plant habit, summer

    plant habit, summer

  • leaves

    leaves

  • leafy shoot

    leafy shoot

  • leaves

    leaves

  • leaves, comparison

    leaves, comparison

  • developing acorns

    developing acorns

  • ripening acorns

    ripening acorns

  • plant habit, fall

  • foliage, fall

    foliage, fall

  • leaves, fall

    leaves, fall

  • trunk, bark

    trunk, bark

  • plant habit, winter

    plant habit, winter

  • winter twigs, buds

    winter twigs, buds