A little seed. A new beginning.
Seeds In A Cup®A LITTLE SEED. A NEW BEGINNING.

GROW SOMETHING WONDERFUL

White Oak

Quercus alba

Your guide to planting, growing, and getting to know this plant.

THE PLANT NOTEBOOK

White Oak care, from seed onward.

Botanical name
Quercus alba
Common names
Stave Oak
Family
Fagaceae
Genus
Quercus
Species
Q. alba
01

Start growing

Hard to transplant due to deep taproot. Prefers full sun. Very long term investment.

02

Growing with your kit

The Seeds In A Cup® clear planter helps students observe the 'First Winter' root formation of the majestic White Oak.

03

Propagation

By acorn (must be sown immediately—they sprout in the fall!).

04

Seasonal growth & harvest

Slow growing; can live for over 600 years. Spreading canopy wider than high.

05

Growing conditions

Adaptable; prefers deep, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil.

06

Weather & tolerances

High drought tolerance once mature; sensitive to soil compaction.

07

Pests & plant health

Gyspy moth and Oak wilt.

08

Plant safety

Safe; acorns are the 'sweetest' and easiest to process for food.

09

Botanical features

A massive, long-lived deciduous tree with rounded leaf lobes. Acorns are sweet and mature in one year.

10

Varieties

Standard native species.

11

Garden & everyday uses

Wood is waterproof due to tyloses. essential for bourbon barrels, wine casks, and ship building (USS Constitution)

12

Native range & distribution

Eastern and Central US.

13

Conservation

Secure; backbone of Eastern US ecosystems.

14

Name origins

Latin ‘alba’ (White), referring to the light color of the bark and wood.

15

History

The USS Constitution (‘Old Ironsides’) was built from White Oak, which allowed it to withstand cannonballs.

Grow white oak in a cup.