White oak leaves are pink in the early spring for about one week
before turning green- public domain image on Wikipedia
The Charter Oak (White Oak)
Connecticut designated the historic Charter Oak as the official state tree. The Charter Oak was a white oak tree (Quercus albus) that fell during a great storm in 1856 at well over 200 years of age. It's memory continues as a symbol of the love of freedom that inspired our colonial ancestors to resist tyranny and demand liberty (read about the hiding of King Charles II's charter in the majestic oak tree on the state of Connecticut's official website. The Charter Oak is also featured on the Connecticut state quarter (pictured below). Illinois also recognizes the white oak as the state tree.
