Please plant more oak trees! Oak trees are a keystone species, which means they are very important to many forest communities and ecosystems. Sadly, oak populations have been declining for some time now. Whether it be from disease, urban development, drought, or invasive pests, oak trees are need our help. Along with this month’s Habitat at Home article, we’re having a Gardening for Life Celebration! Doug Tallamy will be the keynote speaker and talk about his new book, The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees. Throughout the book, Doug observes oak trees from his own backyard over the course of a year. He also talks about how he grows oak trees and why he likes acorns or bareroot whips better than potted trees. Consider this a step-by-step guide to planting your very own oak!.
Oak trees are majestic trees that can live for hundreds of years. Their spreading branches provide excellent shade and their acorns feed wildlife. If you are planting oak trees an important consideration is how far apart to space them. Proper oak tree spacing will allow your trees room to reach maturity and thrive for decades to come.
Why Tree Spacing Matters
Oak trees need adequate space to grow to their full size potential. An oak sapling may seem small but it will grow rapidly. Within 10 years your little sapling could be 15 feet tall. After a few decades, it may exceed 60 feet in height with an equally wide or wider spread.
If oak trees are planted too close together, their branches and root systems will eventually intersect and compete for resources. This leads to stunted growth for both trees. Additionally, dense shade from crowded trees can prevent grass or other plants from growing underneath.
For best results, plant your oak trees far enough apart so that at maturity, their canopies are not touching or overlapping. This gives each tree sufficient access to sunlight from above and nutrients from the soil below.
Average Mature Size of Oak Trees
To determine proper oak tree spacing, you must consider the mature height and width of the particular oak species you are planting. On average, most oak trees will reach 50 to 80 feet tall at maturity. Their spread or width can be equally as wide or wider than the height.
Here are some common oak species and their typical mature sizes:
- White Oak – 60 to 100 feet tall and wide
- Red Oak – 60 to 90 feet tall, 40 to 80 feet wide
- Pin Oak – 60 to 70 feet tall, 25 to 40 feet wide
- Bur Oak – 70 to 80 feet tall and wide
- Swamp Oak – 40 to 60 feet tall, 40 to 60 feet wide
- Live Oak – 60 to 80 feet tall, 60 to 120 feet wide
Keep in mind that mature size can vary based on growing conditions. The ultimate height and width will depend on factors like soil quality, moisture, sunlight exposure, and climate.
Recommended Oak Tree Spacing
Most experts recommend spacing oak trees at least 50 feet apart. Greater spacing of 60 to 80 feet is even better to allow your trees maximum growth potential.
Here are some oak tree spacing guidelines:
- Within Row Spacing – Minimum 50 feet apart within the same row
- Between Row Spacing – Minimum 60 feet between rows
- From Structures – At least 60 feet from houses, garages, driveways, etc.
- From Other Trees – At least 50 feet from large existing trees
When planning your landscape design, map out where you want to place your oak trees. Mark each tree location and measure the distance between them to ensure adequate spacing.
If you are planting multiple oaks in a wooded area or as a privacy screen, you can place them slightly closer at around 40 feet apart. But keep in mind, at maturity, their canopies will be touching.
Factors That Affect Tree Spacing
The recommended oak tree spacing distances are general guidelines. You may be able to plant a bit closer or need to allow more space depending on several factors:
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Oak Species – Some oak species have a narrow upright growth habit allowing closer spacing. Others have wide, spreading canopies requiring more room.
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Soil & Growing Conditions – Trees planted in very high-quality soil and ideal growing conditions will grow bigger than trees in average or poor soil.
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Pruning Practices – You can prune side branches to contain the tree’s width and allow closer spacing.
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Irrigation – Supplemental water generally leads to bigger trees compared to relying only on rainfall.
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Sun Exposure – More sunlight equals larger trees. Trees in partial shade will be smaller.
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Climate – In warmer climates with long growing seasons, oak trees can grow larger than those in cooler climates.
Evaluate all these factors for your specific situation to determine if you should adjust the spacing slightly from the usual recommended distances when planting your oak trees.
Allow Extra Space for Future Growth
It can be tempting to plant your little oak saplings closer together to save room, thinking you have plenty of time before they grow large. But remember, those cute little trees will grow quite rapidly. Even after just 10 years, improperly spaced trees will already be competing for resources.
The best practice is to allow enough space at the time of planting for the oaks’ future mature size. It may look like wasted space now, but in a few short years, you will be thankful you allowed ample room for your trees to thrive.
With proper oak tree spacing, your landscape will have majestic, healthy trees providing beauty and shade for generations to come. Take the long view, plan ahead, and give your oak trees the space they need. You, your grandchildren, and even great grandchildren will be able to enjoy the benefits of your wise spacing decisions.
How to Plant Oaks from Bareroot Whips
- Unpack, untangle, and soak any roots before planting. You can keep bareroot whips for a few days before planting them as long as you keep the roots moist in a plastic bag. Plant them early in the spring to get them fully in sync with the season.
- Dig a hole that is one-third as wide as the roots. The roots will spread out on their own from the trunk. It is most likely to kill your tree if you plant it deeper than the crown, which is where the roots first show up on the trunk. If you dig a deep hole and then fill it back up to the right depth, the backfilled soil will settle over time, making the crown go too deep into the ground.
- Hold your tree straight up and fill the hole with soil. Move the roots around to make sure the soil fills in all the gaps. Water generously.
- Put mulch on top of the soil after the water has soaked it up. This gives the roots extra protection from the weather while they get established.
- Give it a lot of water for the first few days and watch it grow!
What Kind of Oaks Grow Best in Western NC?
Doug Tallamy’s book The Nature of Oaks has a list of the best oaks for your area, broken down by region of the country and tree size. Here are the trees he states would grow best in western North Carolina:
- Northern White Oak
- Southern Red Oak
- Shingle Oak*
- Laurel Oak
- Chestnut Oak
- Water Oak
- Cherry-Bark Oak
- Pin Oak*
- Willow Oak
- Northern Red Oak
- Shumard’s Oak
- Post Oak
- Black Oak
- Bluff Oak*
- Swamp White Oak*
- Scarlet Oak
- Georgia Oak*
- Overcup Oak
- Blackjack Oak
- Swamp Chestnut Oak
- Chinkapin Oak*
- Bear Oak*
- Bluejack Oak
- Sand Post Oak
- Dwarf Chinkapin Oak*
How to Plant Oak Trees
FAQ
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