White oak, Quebec oak, Stave oak
Quercus alba

Family: Fagaceae

What it is like

A medium to large tree. It grows to 35 m high. It spreads about 30 m wide. The trunk is 120 cm across. The leaves are 10-20 cm long and with 7-9 lobes. The leaves are usually widest above the middle. The lobes are rounded and narrow. There are deep notches between the lobes. The leaves are pinkish and downy when unfolded. The upper surface becomes bright green and they are paler underneath. They can turn reddish-purple in autumn. The acorns are 12-20 mm long. They occur either singly or in pairs. The cup is bowl shaped. It encloses about one quarter of the nut.

There are about 600 Quercus species.

Where it is found

It is native to eastern North America. Temperate. It grows in a variety of soils. It can tolerate some shade. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, Europe, France, Germany, Netherlands, North America (country/location of origin), Spain, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The acorns are eaten after leaching. The dried acorns are crushed in water for food. They are also dried and boiled. They can be baked slowly and mixed with salt and butter.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown by cuttings.

It can live for several hundred years old.

Its other names

Local names

Eastern white oak, Ecino

Synonyms

Quercus alba var. - many; Quercus candida Steud.; Quercus nigrescens Raf.; Quercus ramose Dippel; Quercus pubescens Willd.; Quercus ramosa Dippel; Quercus repanda Michx.; [Invalid] Quercus retusa Raf.;