This tree tolerates a wide range of soils but prefers rich, deep, well-drained, loamy soils. It often dominates dry upland woods and, once established, can tolerate drought conditions. It also occurs on moist slopes, though less abundantly. Insect pests include the white oak borer and leaf miner. This species is subject to anthracnose fungus which causes severe defoliation especially of the lower half of the crown, but it is resistant to oak wilt disease fungus.
Root rot can cause extensive dieback of major limbs.
Like the pin oak and scarlet oak, this tree is sensitive to pollution and soil compaction. The white oak is the most important timber species in the US as the wood is strong, hard, durable and widely available. It was the mainstay in North American ship-building prior to the use of steel. Many World War II mine sweepers and patrol boats had keels of white oak from F.D. Roosevelt's Hyde Park estate. This species is the principle tree used for railroad ties, mine timbers, flooring, paneling, firewood and whiskey barrels.