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White Oak (Quercus alba)
Oak,
common name for a large genus of hardwood trees that are widespread in the
North Temperate Zone. The oak genus contains about 450 species. Oaks are
distinguished from the other ten or so genera in the beech family, to which
the oak genus belongs, by various technical characteristics of their minute,
clustered flowers, but they are easily recognized by their distinctive
fruit, the acorn.
White oak leaves are have a lobed edge with rounded tips on
each lobe (red oaks have pointed lobes). |
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White oaks can grow to enormous
size. It is not uncommon to find individuals that are 37 m. (120 ft.)
tall.
The white oak produces durable, tough wood and is an important lumber
trees. The wood is used in cabinetry and barrel making and as flooring and
veneers. Oaks are of some horticultural importance, but because most are
slow growing, they are more often planted in public parks and gardens than
in private
lawns |
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