Eastern White Oak

Basic Information
Tree ID: 
150
Family: 
Fagaceae (Beech Family)
Genus and species: 
Quercus alba
Description: 
The Quercus alba tree (also known as Eastern White Oak) has a spreading tree shape. It is native to primarily Eastern North America (some Central NA) and can be found all the way from Quebec, Canada to the northern parts of Florida, U.S (USDA, n.d.). The Q. alba tree usually grows to be about 24-30m tall with a DBH of 0.9-1.2m (USDA Forest Service, n.d.). Please see the research section below for more information on the Q. alba tree. Fun fact: the Q. alba tree has medicinal properties, and can be used to treat diarrhea (Foster & Duke, 2014). References: Foster, S., & Duke, J. A. (2014). Peterson field guide to medicinal plants and herbs of eastern and central North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. USDA Forest Service. (n.d.). Quercus alba. In SRS–654: Southern Hardwoods - Volume 2. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/quercus/alba.htm
Surveyors: 
Shreya Pathak, Jesica Springer
Location
Area: 
Prospect and Sachem
Collected Data
Tree shape: 
Spreading
Date of tree entry: 
02/07/2023
Height: 
26.20 m
Diameter at breast height: 
1.55 m

Bark
As can be seen in the images, the bark of the Q. alba tree is light gray, and can sometimes be found peeling around the edges (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). Furthermore, the bark appears to be quite scaly and the name of the tree (White Oak) comes from the fact that when the bark and wood is processed, it appears white in color (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). References: Wikipedia contributors. (2023, April 8). Quercus alba. In Wikipedia. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_alba#Musical_instruments
Twigs & branches
As seen in the image, the branches of the Q. alba tree are very large and sturdy. This Q. alba tree's branches form a broad canopy that has foliage during the spring but in the winter months, during which this photo was taken, all foliage had fallen off the tree (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). Furthermore, due to the size and strength of the wood, it is particularly valuable as a material in homes, including for furniture and hardwood floors (Johnson, 1992). References: Johnson, W. C. (1992). Eastern White Oak. In Silvics of North America (Vol. 2, pp. 450-462). USDA Forest Service. Wikipedia contributors. (2023, April 8). Quercus alba. In Wikipedia. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_alba#Musical_instruments
Foilage
The leaves of Q. Alba develop first in the spring with small pink, pillow-like leaves that have clusters at the ends of shoots that are more green (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). Overall, at the start, the tree looks like it is a cloud or misty (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). Eventually, after several days, the leaves become glossy and bright green with about 5-8in length and 2-3in width. By the fall, the leaves become reddish brown and end up falling off the tree for the most part in the winter (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). Overall, the leaves have 7-9 lobes with 7 being the most common number (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). References: Ramer, M., Silver, K., & Weizmann, F. (n.d.). Quercus. In Edible and Medicinal Plants of the East. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Edible_Plants_Ramer_Silver_Weizmann/Pages/spp_page_oak.html /////// Wikipedia contributors. (2023, April 8). Quercus alba. In Wikipedia. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_alba#Musical_instruments
Reproductive Structures
The white oak has monoecious flowers, which means it has separate male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers on the same tree. As seen in the image above, the female flowers exist by themselves or in pairs at the end of small stalks, and are usually reddish in color. Meanwhile, the staminate flowers are yellow (given the yellow pollen) and exist on flower clusters called catkins that are approximately 2-3in in length. The process of dissemination takes approximately 3 days but this must occur under ideal weather conditions (i.e. not too humid and not too dry). Finally, the seeds of this plant (i.e. acorns) are dispersed via gravity (they fall off the branch), by wind, or via several animals, including squirrels. References: Friends of the Wild Flower Garden. (n.d.). White oak - Quercus alba. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://www.friendsofthewildflowergarden.org/pages/plants/oak_white.html USDA Forest Service. (n.d.). Quercus alba. In SRS–654: Southern Hardwoods - Volume 2. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/quercus/alba.htm
Fruit
Typically, the flowering of Q. alba happens sometime from March to May. Since it is monoecious, each tree contains separate flowers for the male and female parts (USDA, n.d.). That is, there are staminate flowers that lack female parts (usually yellow) and the pistillate flowers that lack male parts (usually more red in color). After pollination occurs, the fruit of the Q. alba forms - the acorn (USDA, n.d.). The optimal conditions for acorn formation is when there is a period of warm weather followed by a period of cool weather. Vice versa is detrimental to the acorn crop. Finally, the acorn is decidedly mature after it turns brown from the original green hue, and once they fall into the ground, they can germinate to form new plants (USDA, n.d.). The acorn is also partially covered by a brown cap that covers < 1/3 of the acorn's total surface area (Ramer et al., n.d.). References: Ramer, M., Silver, K., & Weizmann, F. (n.d.). Quercus. In Edible and Medicinal Plants of the East. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Edible_Plants_Ramer_Silver_Weizmann/Pages/spp_page_oak.html //// USDA Forest Service. (n.d.). Quercus alba. In SRS–654: Southern Hardwoods - Volume 2. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/quercus/alba.htm
Seasons
  • Winter (Image taken by Shreya Pathak & Jesica Springer)
  • Spring (Obtained from: North Carolina State University. (n.d.). Quercus alba. NC State Extension Plants. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/quercus-alba/#:~:text=Their%20fall%20foliage%20color%20is,of%20the%20white%20oak%20group.)
  • Fall (Obtained from: North Carolina State University. (n.d.). Quercus alba. NC State Extension Plants. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/quercus-alba/#:~:text=Their%20fall%20foliage%20color%20is,of%20the%20white%20oak%20group.)
  • Summer, or closest we could find. (Obtained from:
Research
Natural range of distribution: 
Habitat: 
The map image is taken from USDA NRCS Plants Database (n.d.). The white oak can survive in many climates and temperature ranges. For example, because it lives along the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and Canada, it can live in temperatures ranging from as low as -50° F to 70° F (USDA Forest Service, n.d.). The precipitation and snowfall averages that the tree can survive in also span wide ranges, with 30-80in and 1-70in respectively (USDA Forest Service, n.d.). The soil types that Q. alba can be found in also ranges widely, but the main restriction is that the soil must not be too shallow or too dry (USDA Forest Service, n.d.). Furthermore, usually it is found at elevations below 150ft above sea level. Finally, the white oak also contributes to tree cover in several forests and co-grows with several other tree species (USDA Forest Service, n.d.).
Origin, history, and uses: 

The origins of the Q. alba species are in the Eastern regions of North America, including parts of Canada and most of the US’s eastern seaboard. The White Oak has several uses in the world today. It is quite uncommon, though not toxic, for humans to eat the acorns of Q. alba. Several animal species eat these acorns regularly, including squirrels and turkeys. The sturdy wood from white oaks can serve many construction and house-related purposes as well, including for furniture and flooring. The wood of the white oak can also be used to make weapons. Finally, some other uses of the wood of Q. alba include using it for wine barrels and banjos (Wikipedia contributors, 2023).

 
Phenology: 
The white oak’s phenology has been previously explained in the foliage section. As a quick recap, the leaves develop first in the spring with small pink, pillow-like leaves that have clusters at the ends of shoots that are more green (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). Several days later, the leaves become glossy and bright green with about 5-8in length and 2-3in width. By the fall, the leaves become reddish brown and end up falling off the tree for the most part in the winter (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). Overall, the leaves have 7-9 lobes with 7 being the most common number (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). Interestingly, the crops of acorns are not reliable every year. In fact, good crops occur only every 4-10 years because the process depends on several weather and dissemination factors lining up properly (USDA Forest Service, n.d.). Pollination of flowers happens in the spring and germination of new seeds happens in the fall (USDA Forest Service, n.d.).
References: 
USDA Forest Service. (n.d.). Quercus alba. In SRS–654: Southern Hardwoods - Volume 2. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/quercus/alba.htm
 
USDA, NRCS. (n.d.). Quercus alba L. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=QUAL
 
Wikipedia contributors. (2023, April 8). Quercus alba. In Wikipedia. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_alba#Musical_instruments
 
 
Media and Arts

AI Generated poem, as part of the art installation we created at our tree:

Oh, Eastern White Oak, how grand you stand A mighty tree, in our wondrous land Your sturdy trunk, your branches wide Provide a haven for all creatures to reside Amidst your boughs, birds build their nest And squirrels scamper, with nimble zest Your leaves turn gold, in autumnal hues And rustle in the wind, with gentle views Yet, in this world of technology We too must praise its synergy For it has brought us boundless ease And expanded our horizons with great release From the internet to our smartphones Our lives have been transformed We connect with people far and wide And share our thoughts with pride But technology is not without its cost As it consumes energy, and waste we’ve lost We must strive to find a balance true And respect nature’s gifts, in all we do So here’s to Eastern White Oaks and technology May we embrace them with gratitude and responsibility And in their presence, may we find A world of harmony, that is truly kind.