 White Oak Tree
Quercus alba
Height: One of the largest trees of the forest in the eastern United States reaching a height of 60 ft - 100 ft.
Diameter: 2 ft - 4 ft.
Lifespan: If undisturbed, the White Oak can live to be 500 to 600 years old.
Range: White Oak trees grow throughout most of the eastern United States, east of the Mississippi River. However, the White Oak is also found in a small section of northern Florida and spreads sparingly into Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. The largest trees have been found in Delaware and Maryland.
Habitat: Ridges, valleys, dry and moist habitats; mainly lowlands.
Reproduction: The White Oak flowers in the spring at about the same time leaves appear. The time period may vary depending on the latitude at which the tree is located (late March to late May). In order to reproduce,  flowers of both sexes are present on the same tree. White Oak can produce seeds every year; however, an abundant quantity of seeds is produced every 4 to 10 years. The White Oak may begin to produce seeds at 20 years of age, although, the most productive years are from 50 – 200 years. It has been recorded that only a small portion of the total mature acorn crop is fully developed and the rest are damaged by insects, animals, and weather. Acorn maturity is reached 120 days after pollination with acorn drop occurring 25 days later. The White Oak acorns are not viable until they change color from green to light brown.
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