White Oak Quercus alba L.

Characteristics    

Leaves:  Alternate, simple, 7 or 9 lobes, deep to shallow, rounded lobes,  upper surface green and slick, lower surface pale and smooth,  up to 10 inches long and 5 inches wide, red in autumn, leafstalks up to 1 inch long.

Flowers:   Staminate and pistillate are found on the same tree, appear when leaves start to unfold, does not have petals, staminate are hanging yellow catkins, pistillate are red and found in a small group.

Fruit:  Shiny, oblong shape acorns found 1 or 2 together, 3/4 inches long, with or without stalk, green to brown in color, cap covers 1/4 of nut which is yellow and usually fuzzy.

Twigs:  Lean, slick,  shiny, gray, white, or purple, "pith star-shaped in cross-section; leaf scars alternate," crowded near top to twig, half moon shaped, somewhat elevated, has numerous bundle traces.

Buds:  1/8 inches in length, almost spherical, reddish-brown or gray in color.

Bark:  Gray or white in color, slightly furrowed with gray areas.

Form:  Large, up to 100 feet, base of trunk up to 3 feet wide, broad crown, stiff horizontal branches, trunk short and thick.

Habitat:  Damp, sloped woods, or dry woods.

Range:  "Maine across to Minnesota, south to eastern Texas, east to northern Florida."

Wood:  Heavy, solid, tough, sturdy, coarse-grained, light brown

Uses:  Cabinets, construction (general), fence posts, fuel, tight cooperage, interior finishing

Distinguishing Features:  Grayish bark, 5-7 round lobed leaves, white on lower surface, oblong brownish-green acorns.

Location:  Mattoon, Illinois.

Sources cited:Mohlenbrock, Robert.  (N.D.).  Forest Trees of Illinois.  Springfield, IL:     Illinois  Department of Natural Resources.

(c) 2002 Cumberland High School Katie M

Contact Information- lstarwalt@cumberland.k12.il.us

 Link to Native Trees of Illinois index page.