Oak trees are the perfect legacy, as they are long-lived,practical, and provide a stunning aesthetic throughout any season. Their utility,hospitality in supporting wildlife, and striking magnificence are all great reasons to plant an oak tree today.
Here are three oak tree varieties we don't want you to miss.
Scarlet Oak Tree
The deep-rooted Scarlet Oak Tree is an excellent shade tree, with high wildlife value and attractive foliage to boot. The candid beauty of the scarlet oak is revealed twice a year. Vibrant red leaves in spectacular display, upon unfurling in the spring, and revealing seasonal change in the fall.
The dual-purpose scarlet oak is planted for both shade and timber,but works perfectly as a hearty ornamental tree. In the fall, as the cool weather sweeps through, the leaves transform to reveal a lovely scarlet, a true delight, and the namesake of this oak.
These deeply lobed scarlet-red leaves add a pop of color against the white snow, as they hang on throughout the early winter chill. The innerbark is also red, while new growth is green, with hints of orange, maturing to brown, with shallow grooves in the bark becoming scaly as the tree ages.
Young leaves emerge in the early spring with a red hue, followed by flowers in the late spring. A burst of growth brings shiny green leaves,which persist throughout the summer. Finally, fruit development in the fall delivers egg-shaped nuts, ½ -1” in length, with an adorable bowl-cap covering about half of the acorn.
This medium sized oak thrives best in adapted climatic conditions,with well-drained, slightly acid soils. The scarlet oak matures at a height of 50 feet, with a spread of 50 feet. It’s tolerance of poor and alkaline soils paired with wind resistance and easy transplant-ability makes it an ideal addition any yard.
Red Oak Tree
The handsome Red Oak Tree is highly adaptable and truly a wonderful specimen to behold. This tree serves well as a windbreak while adding a mature accent for generations to enjoy. In addition, a long lifespan gives a new meaning to family legacy, as it can live for over 500 years.
As a large oak with quick to moderate growth, the red oak offers a beautiful fall color to enjoy soon after planting.This multi-purpose tree does well in both urban and rural environments, maturing at a height of 50 feet, with a spread of 50 feet.
Red-orange leaves in the fall bring warmth to the season, followed by light to dark green leaves in the summer. Smooth young branches are steel gray when young, maturing into scaly, reddish brown to blackbark. One-inch acorns with a small cup appear in the fall.
Symmetrical growth and disease resistance paired with overall hardiness makes this large oak a good fit for both urban or conservation settings. Part of the wonder of this tree is how robust and accommodating this tree can be, serving as an excellent source of refuge for small wildlife.
Vigorous growth capabilities in a broad range of soils, with tolerance for various conditions ensure healthy growth across a wide spectrum of environments. This high tolerance to a variety of conditions makes it a versatile addition to any large outdoor space.
Bur Oak Tree
The broad and remarkable Bur Oak Tree commands the stage with its wide trunk and impressive foliage. Well suited for large spaces, this tree is one of the most magnificent oaks.
Deeply lobed leaves adorn a wide, rounded crown, with dark green color. A mature height of 55 feet and 30 feet spread presents a wonderful refuge for wildlife,while functioning well as a windbreak and shade tree.
With good adaptability to many soil types, the bur oak transplants well and can be drought and flood tolerant, once established. Large acorns, about 1½ inches long, half covered in a cap, and may take 30 or more years to appear. The caps are uniquely fringed, or “burred”, giving the burr oak its name.
Deep roots and thick bark allow the bur oak to endure harsh conditions. This long-lived tree is relatively slow growing, and well adapted to fire. Irregular branching display scorky and ridged bark on young growth, which is especially noticeable in the late winter and early spring.
New growth is slow to appear in the spring, allowing more time to enjoy the unique structure and texture of this wonderful tree.
More details on oak trees can be found in our online catalog.