White Oak
Quercus alba
Large deciduous tree known for deeply lobed leaves with rounded tips, smooth or slightly irregular sinuses, and grayish-white bark.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water
- Water deeply when newly planted. Mature trees require watering only during extended dry periods, as they have deep taproots.
- Growth
- Perennial large deciduous tree, growing 50 to 80 feet tall with an equal or greater spread, exhibiting a slow to medium growth rate
Care instructions
Provide full sun exposure, well-draining soil, and consistent watering during the establishment phase. Once mature, it is moderately drought-tolerant.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
Watering
Water deeply when newly planted. Mature trees require watering only during extended dry periods, as they have deep taproots.
Soil
Prefers deep, moist, well-draining acidic or neutral loam, though adaptable to various soil types with a pH between 4.8 and 6.8
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9
Growth habit
Perennial large deciduous tree, growing 50 to 80 feet tall with an equal or greater spread, exhibiting a slow to medium growth rate
Bloom season
Spring, producing inconspicuous yellowish-green male catkins and small female flowers
Propagation
Propagated primarily through acorns planted in autumn, or by specialized grafting for named cultivars
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, oak wilt, and pests such as defoliating caterpillars and borers
Similar species
Post Oak (Quercus stellata), which features more distinctly cross-shaped or square-lobed leaves with a leathery texture