Bayshore/ White Oak

COMMON NAME: White Oak

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Quercus alba

FAMILY: Fagaceae

COMMUNITY: Maritime Forest

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial (Tree)

HEIGHT: to 100 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Early to late May

FRUITING TIME: Matures September to November of the first year

DISTRIBUTION: Maine, to Florida and west to Texas ~ Statewide in NJ

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Broad, rounded crown, nearly as wide as high ~ Bark pale gray to brown, coarsely flaky ~ Leaves 5 to 8 inches long, oblong, 5 to 9 blunt lobes, turn dull red in autumn ~ Male flowers clusters of drooping catkins and spikes of small blooms; Female flowers solitary or few flowered spikes ~ Acorn (fruit) is 1/2 to 3/4 inches long, rounded, shiny, light brown, enclosed in a cup 1/4 length of the acorn

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Fagaceae) commonly called the Beach Family consists of large trees and some shrubs including chestnuts, chinkapins, and oaks as well as beeches. More than 200 species of oaks grow in the world, 60 of these occurring in the USA.  In general, the oaks are split into two groups: the red oaks and the white oaks.  The red oaks have bristle-tipped leaves and acorns that take two years to mature.  The white oaks have rounded lobes and acorns that mature in one season. The family name, Fagaceae comes from the Latin fagus derived from the Greek phagein which means “to eat”.  The genus Quercus is probably of Celtic origin meaning “beautiful tree”.   Members of this genus have acorns and the shape of this fruit can be used to identify the various species. The White Oak is the mightiest of the “mighty oak”.  Specimens have been known to live 800 years. The acorns are a favorite of birds and squirrels.  Tannins make the acorns bitter to humans.  After boiling  to remove the tannins, the acorns can be roasted as nuts, or dipped in sugar syrup and eaten as candy.  Dried acorns can be ground into meal and used to make breads and muffins.  Acorns are rich in protein and fat. The wood of the White Oak is heavy, very hard, and strong.  Pores of the heartwood are impervious to liquids, making the White Oak the only successful wood for cooperage.  Large amounts of higher grades are used for bourbon barrels.  The wood is also used for flooring, furniture, handles, and is prized for ship building.