white oak

White oak plants should be watered lightly once a week when they’re established. If their soil is dry or the weather is very hot, you may want to increase the watering frequency to twice a week. When watering, the soil should feel moist but not soggy. Too much water can cause the roots to rot. Keep an eye on your white oak plants and adjust their watering depending on their needs.

White oak (Quercus alba) is a species of deciduous trees that prefers full, direct sunlight in order to thrive. An ideal amount of sunlight for white oak trees is 8 to 12 hours per day throughout spring, summer, and fall. When winter arrives, white oak trees should receive no less than 4 hours of direct sunlight in order to survive. White oak trees also need dappled shade during very hot summers and midday sun year-round to survive and grow.

White oak should be pruned in late winter or early spring, either while the tree is dormant or immediately after the leaves begin to emerge. Prune away dead or broken branches, as well as any branches that are rubbing against 1 another. Also, prune away any branches that are crossing over 1 another, or any crossing the center of the tree. Remove any sucker sprouts or suckers from the trunk base, and thin out dense groves of branches to keep circulation of air and light in the canopy. Remove weak or small branches, as well. It is generally best not to prune away more than 1-third of the total canopy.