Common Name: White Oak
Scientific Name: Quercus alba
Location: Red Barn Park
This memorial white oak was planted in honor of Dr. Teresa Heckert who was a 20 year veteran of the Psychology Department. White oak leaves have blunt lobes and the acorn cap has small bumps on its surface rather than triangular scales as in most other oaks in red barn park.
Identifying Features
The White Oak has a short stocky trunk with massive horizontal limbs. The wide spreading branches form an upright, broad-rounded crown. The bark is light ashy gray, scaly or shallow furrowed, variable in appearance, often broken into small, narrow, rectangular blocks and scales.
Needs Distribution/Geography
White oak grows throughout most of the Eastern United States. It is found from southwestern Maine and extreme southern Quebec, west to southern Ontario, central Michigan, to southeastern Minnesota; south to western Iowa, eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas; east to northern Florida and Georgia.
Uses
White oak is used to make cabinets, furniture, trim and veneer. It is also used to make barrels for winemaking and in boatbuilding for its moisture-resistant properties.
History
Throughout history, the oak is a common symbol of strength and endurance and has been chosen as the national tree of many countries.
Fun Fact
Some of the oldest documented white oaks are over 450 years old.