White Oak Tree Facts - What Are White Oak Tree Growing Conditions

The white oak prefers full sun, but has a moderate tolerance to partial shade. It is more shade tolerant in youth, and less tolerant as the tree grows larger. It can adapt to a variety of soil textures, but prefers deep, moist, well-drained sites. High pH soil will cause chlorosis.

Where does white oak grow best?

White oak has the ability to grow on all upland aspects and slope positions within its range except extremely dry, shallow-soil ridges; poorly drained flats; and wet bottom land. It grows best on north and east-facing lower slopes and coves and grows well on moderately dry slopes and ridges with shallow soils.

How long does it take for White Oak to grow?

A white oak's growth rate is considered "medium", growing between 1 foot and 1 and 1/2 feet per year. As trees mature at around 20 years, a 10 year old oak tree size, then could be anywhere between 10 feet and 20 feet tall, but this varies.

How deep are white oak tree roots?

The mollisols (deep >20 feet [6 meters] prairie soil — all O/A soil horizons) have 2 broadleaf tree root depths in columns #2 & #4: 11 feet (Black Walnut) & 15 feet [4.5 meters] deep (White Oak). Both the Walnut & Oak have the least drought stress.

What conditions do oak trees like?

The tree requires moist conditions to grow and need to be at an elevation of less than 500 metres. When planting it is vital to remember the length of time the tree will grow in that position and its eventual size. The tree also has a vast deep root system.

How long can a white oak live?

They commonly grow from 85 to 100 feet high, with a spread of 85 feet or more. White oaks can live to be 300 years old, which means that a single tree can cast shade on multiple generations of the same family. The trees are hardy but slow growing. Their long life span makes them the king tree in most areas.

Are white oak trees worth money?

White Oak sawlogs 10 feet in length are the most valuable. Twenty foot sawlogs are worth a small fortune; more than double a 10 footer. Clear grained knot free sawlogs are almost always sold as veneer.

Are oak trees good for yards?

Red and white oaks (Quercus species) are great trees to plant in your yard and you will find one from the many oak species available to choose from. ... Oaks have always suffered from a slow growth image to the favor of planting quick-growing, short-lived native and exotic trees.

What is the prettiest oak tree?

Three Oak tree varieties that are quite simply beautiful.

Scarlet Oak Tree. The deep-rooted Scarlet Oak Tree is an excellent shade tree, with high wildlife value and attractive foliage to boot. ...
Red Oak Tree. The handsome Red Oak Tree is highly adaptable and truly a wonderful specimen to behold. ...
Bur Oak Tree.

Do oak tree roots grow down or out?

The initial root is the taproot, which grows deep underground, seeking a dependable supply of moisture. ... Most oak tree roots lie only 18 inches under the soil. They may spread, though, to occupy a space four to seven times the width of the tree's crown.

How far do oak tree roots go?

Oak Root Characteristics

The lateral roots of oak trees spread as much as 90 feet from the trunk. Lateral roots can typically be found about 18 inches below the ground surface. Oak roots usually extend no more than 3 feet below the soil and no more than 2 feet below the surface in shallow soil.

Can oak tree roots cause damage?

Unlike pine trees, oaks and elms have shallow roots which can potentially damage your foundation. They tend to grow pretty quickly – a trait that makes them extremely popular. They grow quickly because they drain a lot of water from the soil. ... Without proper maintenance, this may require foundation repair.

What is special about oak trees?

Oaks produce more than 2000 acorns every year, but only one in 10 000 acorns will manage to develop into oak tree. A lot of animals (pigeons, duck, pigs, deer, squirrels, mice…) feed on acorns. Young acorns, leaves and buds contain tannic acid which induces toxic effects in cattle.

How long does it take for an oak tree to fully grow?

Although some species remain small even when mature (e.g. dwarf chestnut oak), most oaks will become large trees much faster than you think, so picture the area a mature oak (and its root system) will occupy in 20 years. Start small. Planting an acorn or small seedling is the best way to go.

How long do oak trees last?

The life span of oaks varies according to the species of oak. The average life span is about 100 - 300 years, but particular species can live for shorter or longer times. The water oak (Quercus nigra), native to the southeastern United States, lives for only 30 to 50 years and the laurel oak (Q.

What are the signs of a dying oak tree?

5 Signs that Your Oak Tree is Dying

Yellow Leaves. Have you noticed yellow leaves with greenish-colored veins on your oak tree? ...
Foliage Loss. Oak trees are bound to lose at least some of their foliage, especially when the cool fall and winter weather arrives. ...
Decaying Bark. ...
Powdery Mildew. ...
Rotted Roots.

Why are white oaks dying?

Oak Wilt is a fungal disease that is killing oak trees throughout the mid-west and into pockets of Texas and the southeast. The fungus grows in the vascular system of trees, cutting off the supply of water and nutrients, causing leaf discoloration, wilt, leaf drop and eventually death.

Why is it called White Oak?

Although called a white oak, it is very unusual to find an individual specimen with white bark; the usual colour is a light grey. The name comes from the colour of the finished wood.

What is the most valuable oak tree?

Currently, the most valuable tree species is the White Oak. There are about 90 species of oak found in the U.S. The most common species found in the forest here in PA are; Norther Red Oak, White Oak, Chestnut Oak, Black Oak and Scarlet Oak.

How much is a mature white oak tree worth?

1 common White Oak (425 for Spring of 2012 and 482 in the Fall) by 10 (10,000 board feet divided by 1,000). So you're White Oak is likely worth about $4,250. Using the second strategy from the paragraph above you would multiply 10 by the “All Grades” mean value of 567, equaling $5,670.

How much can you sell a white oak tree for?

This mix of 10′ x 20″ black oak, white oak and post oak trees from a homebuilding site would sell for about $75-$100 each, delivered to a local sawmill.