White Oak
Quercus alba · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Oblovate to oblong-obovate, deeply lobed with 7 to 9 rounded lobes
Margin
Entire along the sinuses, with rounded, non-bristle-tipped lobes
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate, with a prominent central midrib and branching lateral veins extending into the lobes
Key Features
Deeply lobed leaves with completely rounded lobes (no bristle tips), light gray scaly bark that peels in small plates on older trees, and sweet acorns maturing in one season
Description
The White Oak is a majestic, long-lived canopy tree known for its sprawling branches and pale, scaly bark. The leaves feature deeply cut, rounded lobes that lack the bristle tips found in red oaks, turning a striking array of reds and browns in the fall before dropping or sometimes persisting through winter.
Habitat
Found in a wide variety of well-drained upland soils, ridge tops, and mesic forests, preferring acidic, loamy, or sandy soils with full sun exposure
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, stretching from southern Quebec and Maine south to northern Florida and west to eastern Texas and Minnesota