Virginia Trees
The White Oak
(Quercus Alba)
The white oak is commonly found in the eastern region of the United
States. However, in addition to the United States, white oaks can
also be found in most other areas of the world.
White oaks are usually thought of as deciduous, but may appear as
evergreens in warmer climates around the world. The white oak has very
strong leaves that are 5 to 9 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide and are
composed of many rounded lobes or fingers. Some have 5 lobes, some 6, and
some even up to 9. The summer leaf is shiny green and turns deep red or
brown in autumn. In addition the white oak bears oblong acorns that are 0.5
to 0.8 inches long set in a bowl like cup covered with warty scales. These
acorns may not mature until the tree is 50 years old. They are much sweeter
than acorns from other oaks and the early American Indians, as well as some
Europeans ground their meat to make bread flour.
The white oak is tall with a wide crown. It can reach a height of 150
feet and can grow to a thickness of 3 to 4 feet in diameter. It has a life
expectancy of about 150 years but some trees have been found that are
believed to be 800 years old.
White oaks thrive in soil that is rich and deep. It prefers a climate
that is temperate.
The white oak has light gray bark and is a very strong tree with the
hardest wood of all the oaks. It is also a special resource since it
provides lumber for fine furniture, flooring, and houses. It was used for
centuries as the main timber for ships. The white oak is resistant to most
diseases except for oak wilt which is causes by a fungus. Caterpillars and
scale insects can also be harmful.
From Jeanette Kenyon's Third Grade Class
Anne E. Moncure Elementary School
244 Garrisonville Road
Stafford, Virginia 22554
jkenyon@pen.k12.va.us
A Little About Us
Our school , Anne E. Moncure, has about 750 students in grades K-5. We are located about midway between Richmond and Washington, D.C. We are not exactly close enough to D.C. to be called a suburb (about 35 miles) but are now referred to as being in the "exurbs" - a new word that tells me we are close enough to provide many workers in
Washington. We are also very close to Quantico Marine Base so many of our
students are from military families.
We value Laughter, Learning, and Love
"Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est"
(Knowledge itself is power)
Francis Bacon