White Oak: State Tree of Connecticut, Illinois, and Maryland

The state tree of Connecticut, Illinois and Maryland is the White Oak (Quercus alba). This tree is also known as stave oak, ridge white oak, forked-leaf white oak, and fork-leaf oak. White oak is common throughout the eastern States. Locations on the west-facing side of the Appalachians and in the Ohio River Valley are considered to the ideal for white oak growth. This tree is hardy in Zones 3B through 8.

White oaks grow in a variety of climates and soil types. They grow well on slopes and are seen at elevations of 5,900 feet above sea level. They grow in full sun and light shade.

White oaks are planted in landscapes as specimen trees. They are good shade trees and are useful in parking lots and along highways. Their value as a street tree is limited by the potential diameter of the trunk which could damage nearby sidewalks and driveway extensions. Pruning may be necessary when the weight of the branches pulls them closer to the ground.

If white oaks are going to be saved during a construction process, erect a barrier fence a distance away from the tree's drip line and steer heavy equipment away from the underground root system.

There fall coloring makes them a popular addition to the scenery. The fall leaf color range includes red, violet, and purple. White oaks can experience frost damage. They prefer well-drained soils.

Mature white oaks reach a height of 60-80 feet and a trunk diameter of 5 feet. White oaks can live to be over 600 years old.

Oak is grown for milled lumber. It is commonly used in the production of furniture, veneers, wall paneling, and floor boards. It is the wood of choice when making barrels for whiskey. Oak is heavy and dense which make it a long lasting wood in commercial applications.

Where there are oak trees, there are acorns. White oak acorns are a food source for squirrels, mice, rabbits, and many birds including bluejay, northern bobwhite, mallard, pheasant, prairie chicken, ruffed grouse, and wild turkeys. Seedling are a favorite of deer

White oak trees are is monoecious. Seed/acorn production happens with male and female catkins which look like flower covered tube structures. The acorns are planted by squirrels and blue jays who bury the seed.

White oaks have a significant taproot and do not readily survive transplanting, but they will grow well from seed. They are a good choice for reforestation projects. Although white oaks are a slow growing tree, they has good survivability.

White oaks have predators. They are subject to galls and scales. Insect damage can be caused by aphids, boring insects, caterpillars, twig pruner, lace bugs, and leaf miners. The trees may experience cankers, leaf blister, fungus, and mildew. Damage is usually miner and the trees recover readily.

Sources
Quercus alba, USDA Forest Service, http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/quealb/all.html
Quercus alba, University of Florida, http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/QUEALBA.pdf
Quercus alba, Virginia Tech, http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=35
Quercus alba, North Carolina State University, http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/quercus_alba.html