White Oak Tree Seeds | Quercus alba
White Oak Tree Seeds | Quercus alba
The king of eastern hardwoods. The tree that built a nation.
Quercus alba, the White Oak, is the backbone of eastern North America’s forests and one of the most valuable hardwoods ever grown. Its sweet acorns fuel entire ecosystems. Its wood has shaped American history, from shipbuilding to bourbon barrels. Its canopy defines landscapes for centuries. Plant one, and you are not just growing a tree. You are establishing a legacy.
- Produces sweet, low-tannin acorns favored by deer, turkey, bear, and over 180 wildlife species
- Premier hardwood for furniture, flooring, and cooperage
- Extremely long-lived, often exceeding 500 years
- Forms a massive, wide-spreading canopy
- Supports over 500 species of caterpillars, making it a keystone wildlife tree
Things You Probably Didn’t Know
It defines American bourbon.
By law, bourbon must be aged in new charred White Oak barrels. The wood releases compounds that create the signature vanilla, caramel, and oak flavors.
Its acorns are ready immediately.
White Oak acorns mature in one season and are low in tannins, making them a preferred and immediate food source for wildlife.
It helped win a war.
The USS Constitution was built with White Oak so dense that cannonballs reportedly bounced off its hull.
It drives wildlife population cycles.
In mast years, a single mature tree can drop tens of thousands of acorns, fueling entire food chains.
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Quercus alba
- Stratification: Required; 30–60 days cold moist stratification (recalcitrant, keep moist)
- USDA Zones: 3–9
- Soil: Well-drained, deep, slightly acidic; highly adaptable
- Light: Full sun
- Height: 60–100 feet
- Spread: 60–100 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate (1–1.5 ft/year)
Plant a White Oak and make a decision for the next five centuries. Very few investments compound that well.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
