Did you know there are over 500 types of oak trees throughout the world? From the White Oak to the Japanese Evergreen Oak to the Southern Red Oak. These magnificent trees can be found in a variety of colors and thrive in many different climates. This is probably why they are such a popular tree. Whether you already have oak trees in your landscape or are planning to add them, one thing is for sure: you want them to grow tall and strong. We put together our best tips to help make sure your oak trees grow healthy and strong.
Find Your Leaf
1. Make Sure You Have Proper Drainage
One thing you want to be sure of with any plant is that you don’t accidentally drown them with water. All trees need water, but they also need oxygen and nutrients. Soil that is waterlogged prevents the roots of the tree from being able to take in these things. Not only that, but a healthy tree can die in as little as two weeks if it is overwatered due to something called Sudden Oak Death. SOD is a disease that causes a water mold pathogen to grow on the bark and leaves of oak trees, and there is no known cure for this disease.
So making sure that the ground around your tree is graded properly to allow the excess water to drain away from your tree is very important.
2. Cover Your Roots With Soil
Exposed roots can be very harmful to an oak tree. This leaves them subject to physical damage, which can be very harmful to any tree, especially oak trees. Since the roots are the main system by which they soak up water and nutrients, a damaged root can restrict this. Thus causing the tree to lose its health.
Additionally, leaving roots exposed to the weather elements can be detrimental as well. Soil serves as a thermal blanket for roots and keeps their temperature balanced. If a root is exposed to extreme summer heat or frigid winter weather, it can cause stress for the tree, ultimately taking a negative toll on its health.
So a layer of fresh soil over these roots will work wonders for your tree.
3. Give Your Trees Room to Grow
Trees need room to grow, especially those with large root systems like the oak tree. While they may start off small, these trees will grow to be about 70 feet wide – some even bigger. In order to avoid damage to your home or driveway, you will want to leave about 20 feet between the them and the tree.
Otherwise, you might end up with something like this:
Yes, those are house pipes being overtaken by tree roots. Imagine the stress on both the house and the tree!
4. Prune The Branches
Keeping your trees pruned serves two purposes. The first is to keep your landscape looking great. The second is to reduce the stress on your tree’s branches – especially during the winter and spring months. The longer branches are, the more support they require, though this can be difficult for a tree. Ultimately leading to branches that snap under pressure.
In the springtime, a storm can be a big contributor to this. High wind speeds mixed with the extra weight of water on the branches can lead to broken branches. Potentially damaging your home, vehicles, or neighboring properties.
But it’s not an easy job, so, if you find that you have a tree that is simply too tall for you to prune yourself or don’t have the time to do it, call a local tree care professional, such as JC Tree Care! We have the tools and experience to get the job done so that you don’t have to worry about the potential of dealing with tree damage.