Oregon White Oak is best known as a stately deciduous tree that grows from British Columbia south to Los Angeles. Large mature specimens are wide spreading and very stout in appearance. In its northern range it is often known as Gary Oak. The mature bark is brownish gray and shallowly fissured in a checker-like pattern. When cut down the wood from this oak is used for furniture and flooring.

Oregon White Oak can easily grow to a height of 90’ and a width of over 125’ forming a broad, rounded crown with a rugged appearance. The limbs are often very crooked especially if the tree is grown out in the open. Young trees often have shrubby appearance.

The leaves of Oregon White Oak are arranged in an alternate fashion. They are simple, 4”-6” long and are evenly and deeply lobed with rounded leaf tips. Leaves are pinnately lobed with 5 to 9 irregular rounded lobes. During the summer the leaves are dark green above and pale beneath. Their fall color ranges from saddle brown to tinted gold; occasionally dull red.

Acorns (fruit) are ovate and smooth and approximately 1” long. The lower 1/3 of the acorn is encased in a shallow cup. Gray squirrels, deer and livestock eat acorns and the leaves of young shoots and sprouts.