Plant Family: Fagaceae
Growth Form: Large tree that may reach heights of 30 meters; trees that grow in the open have broad, spreading crowns.
Leaves: Alternate, simple, dark green above, lighter beneath, with 5 to 9 rounded lobes; the depth of the sinuses varies from shallow to deep.
Bark: Light gray, rather scaly on young trees, becoming heavier and fissured with age.
Fruits: Stout acorns to 3 cm long, the cup covers one-third of the nut.
Habitat: Does well on both dry upland sites and in the heavier soils of river valleys.
Range: Uncommon in extreme northern New England, common in southern New England, west to Minnesota and south to the Gulf coast.
Similar Species: Swamp Oak has leaves that are whitish beneath, and it is often found in wetlands.
Comments: White Oak is an important component of forests in eastern North America; large trees will produce thousands of acorns that are consumed by numerous species of birds and mammals. It is also an important commercial species, the heavy wood is harvested for flooring, furniture, and has many other uses. White Oak is the state tree of Connecticut, Maryland, and Illinois.
