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White Oak
(Quercus alba)

Research conducted by: Ava Dame, & Maria Dionyssopoulos, Grosse Ile High School Students (2024)

 

General Characteristics:

Range: - It is found from southwestern Maine and extreme southern Quebec west to southern Ontario, central Michigan, to southeastern Minnesota to western Iowa

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How to identify the tree species.

 White oak is a large tree with a long, straight trunk and a broad, rounded crown. Leaves are alternate, simple, 5–9 inches long, 2–4 inches wide; margin entire, with 6–10 lobes; lobes rounded at the tip; upper surface bright green, smooth, often shiny; lower surface whitened, smooth. Can reach heights of 50-100 fee with a massive canopy. The bark is light ash gray. 

How have people made use of the trees (wood, fruit etc.).

 Construction-grade products, like railroad ties or wood pallets, or high-quality materials such as flooring and veneer for cabinets and furniture

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Wildlife Value:

How do animals, insects and others make use of the tree? 

Many birds nest in white oak, such as the near-threatened Cerulean Warbler that spends much of its time hopping around from branch to branch feeding on insects in the canopy of mature white oaks.

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Symbiotic relationship with other species?

 White oak trees have developed a relationship with a specific type of mycorrhizal fungi called ectomycorrhizae to facilitate these functions. Their hyphae connect to the tips of tree roots to form a physical connection known as the mycorrhizal network which serves multiple, reciprocal roles.

 

Interesting Tidbits:

  • They grow really tall

  • They can live up to 450 years

  • It is the national tree of America

  • Symbol of wisdom, courage and endurance

  • Does not begin producing large crops of acorns until over 50 years of age.

 

Citations:

 

 

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