This is a New World ‘white oak’ but quite different to European native oaks, which confusingly are often known by the same term in the wood trade. Introduced 1724.

Native to eastern North America; in Europe generally restricted to collections and gardens.

Monoecious. Wind-pollinated. Animal-dispersed.

Tall (30m) and broad-domed. Bark dark grey, with narrow flattened ridges that peel outwards at the base, looking shaggy. Foliage turns red-purple in autumn while still on the tree. Leaves resemble Pedunculate Oak's but taper very narrowly to a long petiole (10-25mm). Fruit a sessile acorn (no peduncle) in a warty-scaled cupule.

Requires summer warmth to thrive.

A keystone species for biodiversity in its native range, and prominent in the treescape.

Generally healthy.

Ornamental. Might thrive more in north-west Europe under a changing climate.