Oak Trees

After the original chestnut forest was killed by the blight, oaks became the major source of mast for deer and wildlife. Acorns are a large part of the diet for deer in the fall. Oaks will grow in a wide variety of habitats, from southern Canada to south Florida and south Texas. Oaks usually bear annually, but often cycle between heavy and light crops, sometimes with a couple of years between heavy crops.

There are two types of oak trees. Red oaks are widely distributed, and can be identified by their leaves that have sharp points at the tips. Red Oak species include Red, Southern Red, Pin, Shumard, Nutall, Scarlet and Sawtooth, a species imported from China. Red Oaks normally begin to bear in 10-20 years, although Sawtooths bear in only 4-6 years, which is one of the reasons they have been widely planted. Most oak species can grow as tall as 60-80' or more, depending on soil and site conditions. Red oak acorns are high in tannin, which gives them a bitter taste, but they are high in protein and fat, which is an important food source during the winter months.

Live Oaks, the evergreen oak species that is found along the southeast Atlantic and Gulf coasts from NC to Texas, and all the way to south Florida, is a type of red oak. It is one of the most heat tolerant oak species. Surprisingly, they grow relatively quickly and bear within 6-10 years. They form wide and spreading trees when grown in the open, but have a more timber tree form when grown in forest conditions where they must compete for light above them.

White Oaks can be identified by their rounded lobed leaves. White Oak species include White, Swamp Chestnut, Chestnut, Bur, Bluff, Overcup, Post and a number of others. White Oaks normally take at least 20 or more years before they start to bear. The acorns are lower in tannin, and thus are favored by deer, and some species such as Swamp Chestnut Oak produce very large acorns.

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Live Oak

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Price: $3.45

Item #: Live Oak - The Live Oak is the quintessential tree of the Deep South. There are few trees as impressive as a massive spreading granddaddy Live Oak.
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Sawtooth Oak

Availability: Pick-up Only

Price: $3.45

Item #: Sawtooth Oak - Sawtooth Oak is a rapid growing tree that is native to China. It begins to bear in 4-6 years and its very productive acorn crop is excellent for deer and wildlife.
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Shumard Oak

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Price: $3.45

Item #: Shumard Oak - Shumard Oak is a rapid growing native oak; it can attain 40' in 10 years with a classic pyramidal shape. Its bears heavy, annual crops of large-sized acorns that are high in tannin.
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Swamp Chestnut Oak

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Price: $3.45

Item #: Swamp Chestnut Oak - Swamp Chestnut Oak is a beautiful, stately large white oak with unique dark green chestnut-like leaves.
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White Oak

Availability: Pick-up Only

Price: $3.45

Item #: White Oak - White Oak is a large, relatively slow-growing native tree. It has large leaves with rounded lobes, and a scaling bark. Its large acorns are favored by deer and wildlife because of the low (bitter tasting) tannin content.
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Products 1-5 of 5