White Oak
ExploreTrees
White Oak
Quercus alba
The White Oak is known for its lovely, rounded leaves and strong wood. It’s a favorite place for birds to build their nests!
Habitat: Woodlands and forests
Appearance
The White Oak has distinctive light grey, scaly bark and leaves with round, finger-like lobes. In autumn, its foliage turns a beautiful reddish-brown, making it stand out in the forest. Its broad, rounded crown gives it a majestic, spreading appearance.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyFagaceaeGenusQuercus
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
75
Interesting facts
Early settlers used its bark to make dyes and even leather!
It can live for over 500 years, a true ancient giant!
Its strong wood was used to build famous ships and settler's homes.
Many states have chosen the mighty White Oak as their official state tree.
Special abilities
Ability
Deep Root Anchor
White Oak's deep roots reach for water in droughts, keeping it stable against strong winds.
Ability
Fire Resistant Shield
White Oak's thick, furrowed bark protects its living tissues, helping it survive some forest fires.
Ability
Acorn Powerhouse
White Oak produces many acorns, feeding wildlife and helping new oak trees to grow.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-35 m
- Canopy Spread
- 15-25 m
- Edible
- No
- Trunk Diameter
- 90-180 cm
- Lifespan
- 200-500 years
- Fruit Type
- Acorn
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
eaten by
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Squirrels devour its nutritious acorns.
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer browse leaves and munch on acorns.
eats
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Jays eat and bury acorns, helping new trees.
parasitizes
Horned Oak Gall Wasp
Callirhytis cornigera
Larvae cause galls to grow on twigs.
symbiotic with
King Bolete
Boletus edulis
Fungus helps roots absorb nutrients.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Also known as
Mast OakStave Oak
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify White Oak?
The easiest way to identify White Oak is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is White Oak?
20-35 m
How wide does White Oak spread?
15-25 m
Is White Oak edible?
No
How big is White Oak?
90-180 cm
How long does White Oak live?
200-500 years
Where is White Oak usually found?
Woodlands and forests
What kind of fruit does White Oak produce?
Acorn
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Jun 19, 2026
Concordi
Photo attribution
(c) Ben Gruhot, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 26, 2026
Harriman Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) Andrew Conboy, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Apr 18, 2026
Ave Maria Grottoi
Photo attribution
(c) Brian Finzel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
License: CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Aug 12, 2025
The State Botanical Garden of Georgiai
Photo attribution
(c) Alex Stach, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
Park48 sightings50 species
Virginia, US
Advance Mills
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Park37 sightings50 species
Pennsylvania, US
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Vermont, US
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New Jersey, US
Camp Evans
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Park41 sightings50 species
Pennsylvania, US
Centennial Arboretum
You might spot House Sparrow, Spotted Lanternfly, and American Robin.
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Park40 sightings50 species
Tennessee, US
Concord
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