A resident of McNabb, IL recently donated material from his majestic White Oak (Quercus alba), which is the largest known in the state. Based on local hearsay, the tree dates back to the year 1750. It’s hard to say just how old this champ is, but with a girth of over 23’ and an impressive crown spread more than 100’ with several limbs reaching to the ground, this 66’ tall oak is certainly quite aged.
Did you know the White Oak is the Illinois State Tree?
Archangel propagators are now working on cloning this old oak and you can look for this wonderful champion specimen to be added to our list of available trees in the future.
White oaks can live 500-600 years if not more. Quercus alba can grow in zones 3-9 and the geographic range of them extends from Main to Minnesota south to Eastern Texas and Northern Florida. It is an excellent upland tree, happily growing on slopes and terraces.
We have the Angle Oak on Johns Island SC . Supposedly the oldest living tree east of the Mississippi River . Why not clone this oak?
We would love to! And we hope to in the future if we can gain permission to do so. Such a beautiful old tree!