White oak
(πΈππππππ ππππ)
Conservation Status: Threatened in Maine
Photo Credit: Plant Image Library/Flickr
At Rachel Carson Refuge, you can identify the white oak by its distinctive rounded leaves and their lighter, almost white, furrowed bark. They are deciduous trees, meaning they have leaves instead of pines which show a cycle we are all familiar with here in the Northeast. In the autumn, the leaves turn shades of orange, yellow and red, dropping as winter comes in. Then, as winter turns to spring they leaf again.
This part of Maine nears the northern end of the white oakβs range. It is more common in the Refugeβs southern divisions, particularly the Brave Boat Harbor Division in Kittery. As the white oak becomes less common as you move north, you may see more northern red oak. You can tell these two trees apart by their leaves. The white oak has rounded leaf lobes, while the northern red oak has red, pointed ones. Keep an eye out for more information on the northern red oak.
The white oak, like other oaks, are known for their acorn fruit. A wide variety of animals feed on these acorns, including mice, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, fox, raccoon, song birds, mourning doves, ruffed grouse, and wild turkeys. However, they are not only beneficial for animals. Historically, indigenous peoples of North America turned the acorns into flour. The strong wood continues to be used for ship building, tools, furniture, floor boards, wagon wheel spokes, and the caps of the acorns can be used to make a simple whistle!
Did you know: Mice are a big fan of the acorns, and certain mouse populations benefit greatly from acorn productions. Mice are also hosts for deer ticks, and, here in Maine, we all know that deer ticks carry Lyme disease. There are some studies that suggest that two years following a large production of acorn, or mast of acorns, there is an increase in deer ticks and thus an increased chance of humans contracting Lyme disease. Make sure that when you walk our trails this spring, summer and autumn, to wear long pants and socks or sprays that protect you from tick bites.
Sources: Forest Trees of Maine β Centennial Edition, Maine Forest Service, 2008, Eastern Forests (Peterson Field Guide), Kricher and Morrison, 1988, Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, Petrides, 1972, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12653136/#:~:text=We%20conclude%20that%2C%20at%20our,acorn%20production%202%20years%20previously.