The Mighty Oak
The timeless, mighty oak tree is symbolic of strength and persistence.
From a tiny acorn, this massive and long-living tree will grow. Oaks are lauded for their strong, far-reaching root systems. Their deep roots make them adaptable to droughts and heavy winds. That's why oak trees are often on top of hills, silhouetted against the horizon.
There is an oak tree for almost every property type (aside from very small ones). Some species can grow in zone three and others can grow in the warm zone nine.
The acorns provide much needed food for wildlife and can be saved to be planted. In autumn, they can show off vibrant orange and red leaves. They are all-around useful and beautiful trees that add value to the land where they grow.
Perhaps the greatest feature of a mighty oak tree is its longevity. Some trees have grown to be hundreds of years old. The most iconic oak trees are in communities in southern U.S. states. Allies of massive oaks line and shade the streets, roads, and driveways from the hot southern sun.
Red Oak Tree (Quercus rubra)
The red oak is a deciduous tree with a rounded, but irregular crown growth habit. It is a broad grower that often has a spread as wide as it is tall. It has a brownish-red leaf color in autumn when it puts out its acorns. This tree will do best in locations where it has plenty of room to grow and spread.
USDA Zones: 3 to 8
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Mature Height: 50 to 75 feet
Mature Spread: 50 to 75 feet
Water: Average to dry
Shipped As: Bare-root
To buy the Red Oak Tree (Quercus rubra), click here
Willow Oak Tree (Quercus phellos)
The willow oak is a deciduous tree that thrives in semi-moist soils and full sun. This tree can even tolerate clay soils and will grow in more condensed, urban settings. This oak is one of the only oaks that can grow on smaller properties, but it will still need some space to grow. Willow oaks have leaves that resemble those of willow trees. It has a round/oval crown growth habit.
USDA Zones: 5 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Mature Height: 40 to 75 feet
Mature Spread: 25 to 50 feet
Water: Average to wet
Shipped As: Bare-root
To buy the Willow Oak Tree (Quercus phellos), click here
Chestnut Oak Tree (Quercus prinus)
The chestnut oak gets its name from its bark and its resemblance to chestnut tree bark. These trees are native to woodland slopes and do best in somewhat dry or poor soils. It has green-yellow leaves that will turn yellowish brown in autumn. Once the roots are established, chestnut oak can tolerate high winds and other weather conditions. The acorns are an important source of food for wildlife.
USDA Zones: 3 to 8
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Mature Height: 50 to 70 feet
Mature Spread: 50 to 70 feet
Water: Average to dry
Shipped As: Bare-root
To buy the Chestnut Oak Tree (Quercus prinus), click here
White Oak Tree (Quercus alba)
The white oak is one of the tallest in the family and can reach heights of 80 feet in ideal conditions. It can tolerate a range of soils from clay soil to poor soil. The white oak is known for being somewhat drought tolerant. It's dark green leaves will turn to red or brown in autumn. The acorns are often eaten by wildlife in the area.
USDA Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Mature Height: 50 to 80 feet
Mature Spread: 50 to 80 feet
Water: Average
Shipped As: Bare-root
To buy the White Oak Tree (Quercus alba), click here
Black Oak Tree (Quercus velutina)
The black oak grows best in well-draining and acidic soils. It grows best on slopes and hilltops. It is similar to the red oak in growth habits and has a triangular crown growth habit. It is called the black oak because mature trees have bark that is so dark, it looks black. This tree is easy to grow and is low-maintenance.
USDA Zones: 5 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Mature Height: 50 to 60 feet
Mature Spread: 50 to 60 feet
Water: Average to dry
Shipped As: Bare-root
To buy the Black Oak Tree (Quercus velutina), click here
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
The pin oak does best in moist, loamy soils. This tree grows a triangular shaped crown. The pin oak is one of the most popular oaks in the US. It is often used commercially due to its autumn color. In fall, it's leaves transform from yellowish-green to bright red.
USDA Zones: 4 to 8
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Height: 50 to 70 feet
Spread: 40 to 60 feet
Water: Average to wet
Shipped As: Bare-root
To buy the Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), click here
Oak Trees Background
Believe it or not-- there are about 450 species of oaks! They are deciduous trees that grow tall and are excellent at providing shade. Their lobed leaves make them easy to identify. In autumn they produce acorns. Acorns can either sprout and grow into trees or serve as food for wildlife.
Most oak trees are native to the United States. Most thrive in average to poor soil conditions, but some can tolerate increased moisture. They are easy to maintain once established and rarely need pruned.
Landscape Uses
Oaks are often used in parks and on larger, recreational properties. They have few problems and can live for hundreds of years making them an ideal tree for large spaces.
Oak trees can be planted in large gardens where they will have room to grow and spread. They are excellent for creating shade in the heat of winter and provide a source of food for many wildlife animals.
Generally, oaks should not be planted in small yards or gardens. Their extensive root system is not ideal for containers or street-side planting.
Oaks can offer timeless beauty to the space they are planted in. Depending on the speciece, their autumnal colors are unbeatable and breathtaking.
How to Plant an Oak Tree
Oak trees can be planted like most other trees. They will need to be fertilized every year to nourish the roots. Fortunately, they are overall low-maintenance trees.
Here is a step-by-step planting guide for Oak Trees:
- Scout the best location for the species of tree you have (sun requirements, space, and soil type)
- Dig a hole the size of the root ball with a small mound f soil in the center of the hole
- Plant the roots, if there is a stem, do NOT plant the stem-- planting the stem will result in rot and lead to disease
- Spread out the roots around the mound so they face away from the tree
- Backfill the hole with soil
- Firm in soil, but be careful to keep the roots intact
- Water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets and help the tree become established
- Stake the tree if needed (you can use one, two, or three stakes at most)
- Do not prune or fertilize until the year after planting
- Prune any broken or crossing branches
- Prune so there is one main trunk, not two competing trunks
Wholesale Nursery Co.
Here at Wholesale Nursery Co., we sell plants native to the US. In fact, 94% of our plants are native! We specialize in bare root plants so that your plants can have the smoothest transition from nursery to customer.
If you have any questions about our oak trees or any of our other plants, please reach out. We love to share our knowledge with anyone who has questions.