The White Oak tree is an outstanding species among all trees and is considered one of the finest hardwoods of eastern North America. White Oak is a tall growing tree that averages a height of 65 feet in good soil and often grows as wide as it is tall. A mature White Oak tree is massive, with the lower branches extending out laterally, almost parallel to the ground. With its’ size in mind, plant the White Oak in a location that allows the tree plenty of room to grow.
Choosing the proper location in a landscape promotes healthy growth and may determine the success of the tree in the landscape. The White Oak has deep roots and is drought resistant when established. It is hardy in USDA Climate Zones 5 through 9 and thrives in moist to dry, deep soils of varied textures. Ideally, the soil PH should be 3.7 to 7.3, which is acidic. The White Oak tree will not tolerate alkaline or poorly drained soil, but it is surprisingly resistant to salt spray and brief salt water submergence. The White Oak is sensitive to flooding, which can lead to slow decline. The tree branches are moderately resistant to ice breakage. In addition, the White Oak is typically more resilient to tree diseases and insects than other Oak species. When under stress, the White Oak is susceptible to Oak Scale. Overall, the advantages of a White Oak in the landscape outweigh the drawbacks.
Characteristics of the White Oak tree include a seasonally changing leaf color. New spring growth is gray to pink, giving way to dark green leaves in summer and dark red leaves in fall. Although it’s called White Oak, the bark color is normally light gray. Acorns are produced on trees as young as 20 years old, especially in open spaces that allow the tree room to grow. White Oak tree acorns are often preferred by wildlife over other oak species.
The White Oak is a majestic, wide-spreading specimen tree, ideal for spacious locations. It is the Illinois state tree, in addition to other states. The White Oak is vastly underused in the landscape. Although not as widely available in nurseries as its’ popular cousin, the Swamp White Oak, it can be found in many Illinois garden centers. KTS offers new tree planting services, for a wide variety of tree sizes. Please contact us for more information. The White Oak is an excellent choice for appropriate planting sites and for adding diversity to the urban landscape.
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