White Oak

White Oak

Includes varieties: Pin Oak, Overcup Oak, and Swamp Oak

Botanical Name: Quercus alba L.
Family Name: Fagaceae – Beech family
Origin: East/Central United States

A young white oak greets you as you enter the grounds of Dodona Manor from the East. There are two other majestic white oak trees on the property. They are one of many varieties of oak trees, the primary ones being white oak, black oak and red oak. At Dodona Manor, in addition to the white oak, we have three other varieties of Oak, we have an Overcup Oak, Pin Oak, and Swamp Oak.  In November of 2004, Congress declared the oaks the National American Tree.

The scientific name of these white oaks is Quercus Alba. They are massive trees growing up to 100 feet tall. They provide a gentle environment for the multiple variety of other trees, bushes and plants as well as wildlife. Their light greyish bark has deep furrows forming blocks and scales. When damaged it has the unique capability of compartmentalizing itself from the injury site by creating a protective tissue within and around it. These oaks may live up to 300 years.

White oak leaves are long and graceful with seven to nine rounded lobes. Their texture is firm. They are dark green on the top and whitish underneath. They turn a deep scarlet purple in the fall.

The wood of these white oaks is often used for making flooring, furniture, musical instruments and barrels. White oaks play a significant role in history. Early carpenters and pioneers used oaks to make the hulls of massive ships like the USS Constitution (Known as Old Ironsides). Pioneers used their tough wood for wagon wheels.

It was for these trees that Dodona Manor was named. Dodona is one of the oldest Hellenic oracles in ancient Greece. The Greeks believed that the voice of Zeus could be heard in the rustling of the leaves in oak trees at the temple of Dodona. Thus, Dodona Manor was named for its white oaks by a previous owner of the house, and the Marshalls kept it.