The tree species Quercus alba, also called "White Oak," is one of the most common hardwoods of eastern North America. It is a long-lived oak in the family Fagaceae, native to eastern North America, from southern Quebec west to eastern Minnesota, and south to northern Florida and eastern Texas. Specimens are known to have lived over 600 years. Groves of white oaks were kept in the atrium of the UNSC Hopeful, the UNSC's largest hospital ship.