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Writer's pictureJoseph Pacocha

Oak Tree = Living Heirloom

Updated: Oct 21, 2021

It seems that the older I become the more I appreciate trees that manage to survive the test of time.  Oak trees in particular are hardwood trees that can easily outlive us by several generations.


pacocha-large-oak-tree

Please find a few distinguishing traits that may help you select and plant just the right oak tree for your property.


  • Oak trees are divided in two main groups, white or red oak

pacocha-red-and-white-oak-tree-groups
  • Oak trees are deciduous hardwood trees

  • There are nearly 60 different oak tree varieties that are native to the United States

  • White oak leaves have rounded lobes where red oaks generally have leaves that have pointed lobes

  • Oak trees first produce acorns after they reach 20 to 30 years of age

  • White oaks generally have lighter gray colored bark where red oak trees have dark colored bark


Fall transplanted oak tree sapling

Fall transplanted oak tree sapling


Oak trees can live several hundred years

  • Oak trees have a very substantial tap root that grows deep underground. Most lateral growing oak tree roots are found just under the soil surface (18 inches +/- deep @ 6 to 7 times width of tree canopy)

  • Oaks can grow to become 60 to over 100 feet tall

  • Oak tree canopies can spread 40-70 feet wide

  • White oak trees are slow growers, only 1 foot +/- per year. Red oaks can grow up to 2 feet per year

  • Oak trees like well drained soils

  • Ideally, try to plant an oak tree at least 20 feet away from houses and other structures.

  • Never plant an oak tree under power lines.

Please be sure to contact Pacocha Landscaping Services, Inc. with any questions you may have or if we can help in any other way.  Thank you for visiting and have a great day!


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