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White Oak (Quercus alba) [ Trees > Hardwoods > Oaks . . . ] Forest Type: Oak-Hickory
by Michael Kuo Habitat: Typically on well drained soil (on ridges, high ground, and so on); often growing with other oaks or with hickories; growing east of the Great Plains. Stature: 80-100 feet high; to 4 feet in diameter; with a rounded crown; branches large, heavy. Growing slowly, but reaching ages of over 500 years; in very old trees typically spreading laterally with huge lower branches and attaining trunk widths of as much as 7 feet. Leaves: 5-9 inches long; with 7-9 deeply to shallowly carved, broad, rounded-off lobes; bright green and smooth on top, paler below. Bark: Grayish; composed of loose plates. In my experience, trees with paler, less platelike zones (see illustration) are often encountered [Note, 2006: The smooth patches are the result of attack by Aleurodiscus oakesii.]. Acorns: Sweet; to 3/4 inch long; enclosed for about 1/4 in a warty/scaly cup. Source: Preston, R. J. (1989). North American Trees. Ames: Iowa State UP. Frequent Mushroom Associates: Aleurodiscus oakesii; Amanita species, especially Amanita bisporigera; Boletus species; Favolus alveolaris; many Russula species, including Russula variata and Russula virescens; Hygrocybe psittacina; Laccaria ochropurpurea; Leotia lubrica; Tylopilus rubrobrunneus; and many others. In my area (central Illinois), white oak woods do not begin to produce many mushrooms until about halfway through June. Further Online Information: White Oak USFS Fact Sheet (PDF file) |
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Cite this page as: Kuo, M. (2003, August). White oak (Quercus alba). Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/trees/quercus_alba.html |