Plant an Oak

If you can plant one large tree, plant an oak.  Studies have shown that oaks are a host plant for hundreds of insect species, which are critical in our local food web.  They also produce edible acorns, prized by many birds and mammals.  There are many oak species to choose from to select the perfect one for your landscape.

Oaks can be divided into two main groups, the red oak group and the white oak group.  The red oak group typically has pointed leaves while the white oak group has round lobes on the leaves.  Oaks are wind pollenated and oak species within the red oak group readily hybridize.  Similarly, the oak species in the white oak group also hybridize, making identifying the exact species a challenge.

One complaint about oaks is that they are messy.  Consider planting your oak within a woodland or at the woodland’s edge.  Willow oak (Quercus phellos) of the red oak group, produces barely noticeable acorns and has narrow leaves that turn gold in autumn.  It provides excellent shade without the typical mess associated with oak trees.

Oaks also tend to hold their leaves longer than many other trees.  This is beneficial when blocking out undesirable features in the landscape.  Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) and Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata) are both trees in the red oak group that excel at retaining their foliage late into the fall and winter.

Consider adding an oak to your landscape.  Enjoy its shade and beauty throughout the seasons!