White Oak
Quercus alba
A majestic native American shade tree prized for its broad, rounded canopy and outstanding fall color. This long-lived oak produces sweet acorns that attract wildlife and develops distinctive light gray bark with shallow furrows. White Oak is considered one of the finest shade trees for large properties, combining exceptional beauty with incredible durability.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
3–9
USDA hardiness
Height
50-135 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for White Oak in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shade-tree →Zone Map
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White Oak · Zones 3–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 135 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 50 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruit is 3/4 to 1-inch-long acorns that are elongated and have a shallow cup that covers 1/4 to 1/3 of the nut. The cup appears lumpy, light tan, or gray with warty scales. Acorns mature the first year and can be numerous. They are initially green and then ripen to a light brown color. Nuts appear from September-November.
Color: Brown/Copper, Gray/Silver. Type: Nut. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: Acorns (nuts) are edible after tannins are leached or boiled out
History & Origin
Origin: South East Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Fire, Heat, Salt
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Moths, Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds
- +Edible: Acorns (nuts) are edible after tannins are leached or boiled out
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Seeds): Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Wild Ginger
Thrives in oak's acidic leaf litter and provides excellent groundcover in shade
Azalea
Benefits from oak's acidic soil conditions and natural mulch from fallen leaves
Rhododendron
Shares preference for acidic soil created by decomposing oak leaves
Ferns
Flourish in the filtered shade and moist conditions under oak canopy
Hostas
Thrive in partial to full shade provided by mature oak trees
Coral Bells
Tolerates shade well and benefits from protection of oak canopy
Wild Columbine
Native woodland plant that naturally grows in oak forest understories
Astilbe
Prefers filtered shade and moist soil conditions found under oak trees
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to many plants, competes for similar growing space
Pine Trees
Creates overly acidic soil when combined with oak, can cause nutrient competition
Grass Lawn
Competes with oak's shallow feeder roots and requires different watering needs
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to most oak diseases
Common Pests
Gypsy moths, oak borers, scale insects
Diseases
Oak wilt, anthracnose, powdery mildew