White Oak (Quercus alba)
 
The white oak is a majestic, long-lived hardwood tree native to eastern and central North America. Revered for its strength and beauty, it can grow up to 100 feet tall, with a broad, rounded crown that provides generous shade. Its bark is light gray and becomes scaly with age, giving the tree its signature “white” appearance. The leaves are deeply lobed with a soft, silvery underside and turn brilliant shades of red and purple in autumn. In spring, the tree produces modest yellow-green flowers, followed by acorns that mature in a single season—an important food source for wildlife. Known for its durable wood, the white oak has been valued for centuries in furniture-making, shipbuilding, and barrel crafting. A symbol of resilience and endurance, the white oak stands as a quiet sentinel of American forests.