White Oak — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Quercus alba |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 30–90 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 10–21.1 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 1825–3650 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 1828.8–3657.6 |
| Mature height (cm) | 1828.8–3048 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 1524–2743.2 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Transplant |
Growing directions
Plant in well-drained to moderately moist, deep, slightly acidic to neutral soil in full sun; white oak is one of the most majestic and ecologically important trees in eastern North America, growing slowly into a massive, wide-spreading giant with deeply furrowed gray bark and a broad, rounded crown that can span 80 feet or more. White oak acorns are widely recognized as the single most nutritious acorn for wildlife — lower in tannins than red oak acorns, they are eagerly consumed by white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, wood ducks, blue jays, and at least 180 other vertebrate species, making white oak the keystone wildlife tree of the eastern deciduous forest. The deeply lobed leaves turn attractive wine-red to russet-brown in fall. Growth is slow but steady — expect 12–15 inches per year — and the tree is exceptionally long-lived (centuries to over 500 years in natural settings). Despite the slow start, there is no native tree that surpasses white oak in landscape longevity, wildlife value, and grandeur.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0