White Oak
Quercus alba · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Oblovate to oblong-obovate with 7 to 9 deeply rounded lobes
Margin
Entire with deeply rounded lobes lacking bristle tips
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the twigs
Venation
Pinnate venation with a prominent yellowish midrib and branching lateral veins extending into the lobes.
Key Features
Deeply rounded leaf lobes without bristle tips, light gray scaly or furrowed bark on mature trees, and acorns with warty, knobby caps that cover about a quarter of the nut.
Description
The White Oak is a majestic, long-lived canopy tree known for its sturdy trunk, sprawling branches, and durable wood. Its leaves are distinctly characterized by rounded lobes without the bristly points found on red oaks, turning gorgeous shades of red and brown in the fall.
Habitat
Found in dry to moist woods, well-drained uplands, and rich bottomlands. Prefers acidic, loamy, or sandy soils and full sun to partial shade.
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from southern Quebec and Maine south to northern Florida and eastern Texas.