Tree Talk: White Oak

I could talk about this tree, white oak (Quercus alba), for ages!! Oak ecology is fascinating and complex, and merits its own Tree Talk someday. For now, we discuss the identification, natural history, and utility of white oak, with some quick broader lessons about this important genus.

Recorded on 1/23/21 in Lebanon County, PA. Recorded and edited by shade-intolerant Allyson Wells.

[EmeraldForester]

I had a white oak as a kid that was over 500 years old. Giant tree, about 7 feet in diameter and over 150 feet tall. Gorgeous tree.

[jseadog]

Ryan, you are a great teacher! I have been nuturing my few White Oaks for a few years. Several are bigguns and I planted several others. Ya really motivate me to persist in my efforts. Thanks!

[AidanSWalsh]

I wouldn't mind an extended video about white oaks. They've always been a favorite tree of mine. Really great delivery too!

[matthewmoss]

So refreshing to see a video like this, you clearly know your stuff!

[sillyshrapnel]

I could watch this dude talk about trees all day.

[Jona_Villa]

Perfect Latin name pronunce: Quercus alba. Bravissimo. I'm Italian.

[stevemurray]

Your videos are always looked forward to and appreciated. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm.

[danno]

Another great video — thank you — much appreciated!

[sailor]

Very informative! Glad I found your channel. I had no idea about the bats using the bark as a roost. I'm blessed to have a number of white oak on my property in Mississippi. Now I know where my bats likely stay.

[EmilyCremeans-rv]

This video was awesome! Super informational and a great study tool! Thanks!

[pamsmith]

I see your little beagle at the end there! Was wondering where he was this time!

[wingking]

Awesome man, good fact about the bats. In my eyes it’s a treasure to our forests right behind the near extinct American chestnut.

[markjones]

Thanks Newt. Always enjoy your videos. That Ryan fella's pretty good too. ;)

[oneranger]

Great educational videos...appreciate the insight & connecting the importance of nature to people

[advancedmachiningsystems]

Excellent video. Thanks for the education and I think your recommendations related to white oak and its regeneration are right on.

[johnbarth]

Good point on why my area only has a few red oaks. Bad forestry habits wiped out the best species. I've been planting several species of oak every few years. My hope is they will spread over the years.

[ericwanderweg]

I have a couple bags of white/swamp white oak acorns in stratification now. Hopefully I can protect them from predation this spring and have at least a handful of seedlings make it.

[factsoveremotions]

White Oak is top notch firewood. Very high BTU and easy splitting.

[matthewlacroix]

This video id VERY informative and helpful...thank you for that...I have a White oak on my property and I have been wondering how to propagate more, thank you for this video!

[blakespower]

I found a 5 foot oak under a bunch of japanese honeysuckle vines, horrible plants smothering small trees, I freed the oak I dont know how long it was under there but I expect next year it will finally grow into a large tree with rapid growth has full sunshine too, hope it shades out all the japanese honeysuckles