White Oak (Stave Oak)
Quercus alba · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Obovate to oblong-ovate, deeply pinnately lobed with 7 to 9 rounded lobes
Margin
Lobed with entire (smooth) rounded margins lacking bristle tips
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate with a prominent central midrib and lateral veins extending into each lobe
Key Features
Deeply lobed leaves with characteristically rounded tips (no bristles), pale whitish undersides, and smooth-edged lobes which separate it from the red oak group
Description
The White Oak is a majestic, long-lived deciduous tree known for its broad, rounded crown and strong, spreading branches. Its bark is light gray and scaly, peeling in thin strips on older trunks. In spring, it produces inconspicuous yellowish-green catkins followed by sweet acorns in autumn that are a primary food source for wildlife.
Habitat
Well-drained upland forests, ridges, and slopes, preferring acidic or neutral soils in full sun to partial shade
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from southern Canada down to northern Florida and eastern Texas