This is a widespread variable eastern species, most common in medium acid soils on submesic to subxeric sites. When seedlings are grown in eutrophic soil of the Inner Bluegrass (as in garden of JC.), severe chlorosis can often occur, presumably due to pH-related mineral imbalance (Messenger 1986, Himelick & Watson 1990). In the central Bluegrass, Short (1828-9) noted: "The white oak is not often met with in the rich tract of land immediately surrounding Lexington; but is found abundantly in that part of Fayette county bordering the Kentucky river; where the soil becomes thinner and the face of the country more rolling." Variation in alba over its range appears to have involved significant gene exchange with other species in chloroplast DNA (Hardin 1975, Whittemore & Schaal 1991). Variation is particularly evident in the depth of leaf-lobing (F, Baranski 1975), and perhaps acorn-size. In Ky. there are occasional hybrids with most other species in the white oak group. Hybrids with montana and stellata may be most frequent (M). Some crosses with the European Q. robur have been widely distributed for cultivation within recent years. Q. robur is easily distinguished by its shorter petioles (less than 10 mm), cordate, almost clasping, leaf bases, and peduncles that are thinner and more than 35 mm long (FNA 3). However, hybrids can be difficult to distinguish. In vegetative characters, alba is remarkable for the general absence of persistent hairs on twigs, buds and leaves, although hairs are present on bud-scale margins and lower surfaces of young leaves, which become glaucous and glabrate as they mature. Fresh twigs are somewhat purplish to reddish and often glaucous; other white oaks in Ky. tend to be more yellowish-brown. Acorns are often produced at two-year intervals on healthy open-grown trees, dropping mostly during late Sep to early Oct, as in most other oak species. The state champion is in WARR: 190 cm dbh; 38 m tall; 41 m wide (KDF 2022).