But I’m not alone in my appreciation of this magnificent tree.
This guide will help you find the right types of oak trees to grow in your own yard.
Guy Sternbergis the co-founder of Starhill Forest Arboretum in Illinois and author of several books about trees.
Credit:Bob Stefko
He’s also the founding president of the International Oak Society.
Its hard to ignore them as a significant part of any landscape.
I asked him to name a few oaks particularly well adapted to specific conditions homeowners might face.
Credit:Courtesy of Getty Images // Mtreasure
Here are some of his recommendations.
But there are several good candidates riding herd along other water-loving species likewillowand bald cypress.
Overcup oak grows 40-60 feet tall and wide and ishardy in Zones 5-9.
Credit:Courtesy of Getty Images // Tai Power Seeff
Swamp white oak matures at 50-60 feet tall and wide and grows in Zones 3 to 8.
Fortunately, the genusQuercuscan handle that too.
Dry soils have many options, and some of them have spectacular fall color, Sternberg says.
Black oak grows 50-60 feet tall and wide and is hardy in Zones 3-9.
While it grows slower than the similar-looking red oak(Quercus rubra),it is more drought tolerant.
Ive even seen it growing in what appeared to be pure sand.
Post oak grows 40-50 feet tall and slightly narrower and is hardy in Zones 5-9.
It grew close to 3 feet a year and became asizable shade treein no time.
A little bit of pampering went a long way.
Red oak grows 50-70 feet tall and wide and is hardy in Zones 4-8.
Chinkapin oak grows 40-60 feet tall and 50-70 feet wide and is hardy in Zones 5-7.
Columnar English oak is hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
Pin oaks are especially prone to this.
Alkaline soil is a limiting factor for many trees, including oaks, Sternberg says.
Texas red oak and chinkapin oak, both previously mentioned, can take an alkaline soil in stride.
Surprisingly, many are the same species!
Southern red oak grows 60-80 feet tall, 40-50 feet wide, and is hardy in Zones 6-9.
The mature sizes and hardiness zones for the first three species were covered in other sections above.
If space permits, homeowners can recreate a slice of that with a small grove of oaks.
The grove concept is…one of the best ways to grow oaks, Sternberg says.
Let them function as a matrix forest where all are one.
Save on maintenance and keep the trees happier by allowing leaves to remain in place as anatural mulch.
How to Learn More
When it comes to options, oaks cant be beaten.
(2004, December 10).Press release 12/10/04.
https://www.arborday.org/media/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?id=95
