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Unlike many other oaks, white oaks have adapted to the heavy, damp clay soil common in Riverwoods. They tolerate all but shallow, dry soil, and prefer damp, well-trained soil.

The white oak is a slow-growing tree, and probably the largest of the native oaks. It can reach 110 feet in height, with an equal spread.

The leaves of the white oak are similar to those of the pin oak - long with 3 to 4 pairs of pronounced lobes. The lobes on the white oak's leaves are rounded, whereas the lobes on the pin oak's leaves typically are more pronounced and sharply pointed.

There isn't anything white about the white oak. Its bark is gray, and sometimes develops a horizontally-ringed appearance as the tree ages. Its fall foliage varies from brown to red.

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