The many specie of inviolable , hardwood oak tree tree ( Quercus spp . ) stand out among American native for their length of service . With more than 180 native species of oak tree trees in the United States alone , there is an oak species for virtually any mood or produce precondition .
Average oak tree tree lifespan for most species is between 100 to 300 years , though the known maximum life span for several species well exceed the averages . With good cultural practices , caution against disease , and the sagaciousness to bed that a freshly planted tree will long outlive its caretaker , an oak tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can truly be a legacy for future propagation .
Proper Siting and Planting
be intimate where and how to plant a tree can be confusing , especially with a tree that can develop to be over 75 feet tall and wide . soundly survey the site where an oak tree sapling is to be planted to insure its next success as a matured tree ; consideration for planting should include what is above it , below it , and within matured limb ' reach .
head off planting young oak tree beneath power lines or other tree , as these trees will eventually require stern pruning , which can deface them , or not turn over their full increment potentiality . oak should also be institute at some aloofness from buildings to avoid run - ins with the roof line or likely equipment casualty from storms . to boot , properly preparing the site where the young tree is to be planted is a critical factor for success .
Optimizing Oak Tree Life Span
Though established oak tree trees can hold up menstruum of drouth , occasional flooding , minor attacks by pests , snip by humans , and shop by wildlife , untried oak trees should have consistent and heedful caution in the first several year after planting .
maintain a veritable watering agenda through the tree ’s first summer will encourage sizeable and rapid root growth , though overwatering can really be prejudicious , especially in poorly drained and clay ground . Newly planted Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree should generally not be fertilise until after they have become well - established , and a proper fertilizer regimen should be find out through stain tests .
Maximum Oak Tree Lifespan
One of the most common and well - make love species of oak , the white oak ( Quercus alba , USDA zones 3 - 8) , has an modal life span of 300 year . Under first-class growing conditions , theUniversity of Illinois Extensionreports that whitened oaks live up to 600 yr , making them one of the longest - lived American oak tree species . stake oak ( Q. stellata , zones 5 - 9 ) has a maximal living span of 400 years , as do the northern red oak tree ( Q. rubra , zona 4 - 8) , chestnut oak ( Q. michauxii , zones 4 - 9 ) and overcup oak ( Q. lyrata , zones 5 - 9 ) .
Shorter-Lived Species
Many other types of oak tree tree have known maximal life duet of around 200 long time , including the personal identification number oak tree ( Q. palustris , zone 4 - 8) , cerise oak tree ( Q. coccinea , zones 4 - 9 ) and southern cherry oak ( Q. falcata , zones 6 - 9 ) . While the shorter - be species may grow at a passably riotous rate than their longer - lived cousins , all oak have a slow growth charge per unit compare with many other types of shade tree species .
Pests and Diseases
Oak wilt and sudden oak death are two serious maladies affecting even salubrious and mature oak tree diagram in the United States , either of which can gravely reduce the life span of oak tree trees and extend to the demise of an oak tree diagram in a subject of weeks . Oak wilt disease is prevalent principally in the Midwest and Southeast , while sudden oak dying has primarily affected trees in California .
Oak wilting is due to a fungous pathogen that make closure in the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s vascular system ; death can occur in as little as three week after contagion . Although all oak species may be infect with this disease , theUniversity of Kentuckyreports that red oak tree are specially susceptible . While no cure live for trees that are already infect , an approved systemic fungicide can be applied every several years by a professional arborist to provide some protection for healthy tree .
Sudden oak death is triggered by the fungus - corresponding water system mould pathogen Phytophthora ramorum , a naturally hap pathogen carried by many vulgar plants , admit several specie of maples , camellias , red tip photinia , pieris , lilac and viburnum . Trees may be infected for several years before showing grounds of infection , include barque cankers , foliar damage , and attacks by pests like barque beetle ; after symptom of contagion seem , trees decline rapidly and can die within two to four weeks .
intervention for sudden oak tree death is mainly confined to preventing the spread head of the pathogen by transfer legion plant in close proximity to valued oak tree specimen , as well as deal goodish tree with a systemic chemical treatment okay especially for Phytophthora spp . pathogens .
