Red Oak Trees

[KevinH78]

Has anyone planted some of these in their yard? If so, are they hard to get started if you buy a 2-3' planter from a gardening center?

[propellerhead]

I have one in my front yard and I planted on in my back yard. What's a 2-3' planter?

[KevinH78]

I have one in my front yard and I planted on in my back yard. What's a 2-3' planter?

I was referring to the trees that are started in a pot that you can get at a lawn and garden center. The trees I've seen before are usually 2-3' tall. I'm not sure what they are actually called so I guess you could say I came up with that term myself. :p How fast do they grow? How big were they when you planted them? Do you have to water them frequently?

[centexchick]

I started mine as a sapling (no more than 12 inches tall). It is now around 5 foot after about 7 years or so. Once it gets a little taller it will make a good place to sit under. They seem to do really well. I have fertilized the crap out of it though.

You are referring to the ones that have purple buds at the beginning of spring right?

[94StangFiveO]

I was referring to the trees that are started in a pot that you can get at a lawn and garden center. The trees I've seen before are usually 2-3' tall. I'm not sure what they are actually called so I guess you could say I came up with that term myself. :p How fast do they grow? How big were they when you planted them? Do you have to water them frequently?
Give them a few years to take off. Oaks are slower growing trees. Plant them no deeper than the existing soil level. Apply 2-3" layer of mulch mounded higher around the outside of the rootball. Water deeply(lots of water) immediately after planting. Give the tree a good soaking at the most once or twice a week. Staking is not required unless in a high wind area.

[94StangFiveO]

I started mine as a sapling (no more than 12 inches tall). It is now around 5 foot after about 7 years or so. Once it gets a little taller it will make a good place to sit under. They seem to do really well. I have fertilized the crap out of it though.

You are referring to the ones that have purple buds at the beginning of spring right?

You're thinking red buds, whole different ballgame.

[propellerhead]

I planted one of these last fall. They said it was the best time to plant because the tree is going dormant for the winter and it won't feel the shock as much. Plus the stores are clearing them out for cheap. The tree I got was about $40. Dig a hole 18 wider and a little deeper than the big plastic bucket that came with the tree. Plant the tree and mix in some topsoil with the dirt you dug out. Some say put root stimulator. I just did Miracle Gro.

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On the right is what it looks like now, less than a year later. It's hard to tell against the green background but it's a few feet taller. I was late on watering it this past spring so some of the leaves turned brown. Now I give it a good soaking at least once a week.

[KevinH78]

I planted one of these last fall. They said it was the best time to plant because the tree is going dormant for the winter and it won't feel the shock as much. Plus the stores are clearing them out for cheap. The tree I got was about $40. Dig a hole 18 wider and a little deeper than the big plastic bucket that came with the tree. Plant the tree and mix in some topsoil with the dirt you dug out. Some say put root stimulator. I just did Miracle Gro.

On the right is what it looks like now, less than a year later. It's hard to tell against the green background but it's a few feet taller. I was late on watering it this past spring so some of the leaves turned brown. Now I give it a good soaking at least once a week.

Cool deal. My yard doesn't have a single tree in the front or back yard so I'm probably going to plant a couple of those as soon as I can find some locally. I called Lowes and they said to check back in September because they always clearance out all of their trees and bushes in the spring. Did you have to cover them or anything over the winter when temperatures dipped below freezing or did they hold up on their own?

[94StangFiveO]

Cool deal. My yard doesn't have a single tree in the front or back yard so I'm probably going to plant a couple of those as soon as I can find some locally. I called Lowes and they said to check back in September because they always clearance out all of their trees and bushes in the spring. Did you have to cover them or anything over the winter when temperatures dipped below freezing or did they hold up on their own?
They need practically zero care during their dormant months. You're better off in the long run by giving a tree minimal care initially. The people that come in to my store needing to know what is wrong w/their tree are always the ones who planted it incorrectly or cared for it too much.

[propellerhead]

Nah. It survived the winter.

[KevinH78]

They need practically zero care during their dormant months. You're better off in the long run by giving a tree minimal care initially. The people that come in to my store needing to know what is wrong w/their tree are always the ones who planted it incorrectly or cared for it too much.

heh... that's where I would be in good shape. I would make sure to plant it correctly and maybe leave a tube full of holes in the ground for watering but after that, it would be lucky to get water once a week. :p

[94StangFiveO]

heh... that's where I would be in good shape. I would make sure to plant it correctly and maybe leave a tube full of holes in the ground for watering but after that, it would be lucky to get water once a week. :p
No need for holes or anything. Just allow a slow drip of water i.e. dripping water hose or soaker hose to soak the entire root ball and surrounding area for a few hours. Once a week is OK. I've planted trees and shrubs in all seasons and never had to water anything more than once a week.