Watering, pruning and using oak tree fertilizer on a regular basis will help keep oak trees healthy and better able to tolerate stress, insect and disease conditions or other tree problems.
Proper watering and fertilizing are essential for maintaining the health and vigor of oak trees. Here are some guidelines to follow: Watering: Newly planted oak trees require regular watering to establish strong root systems. Water deeply and thoroughly, ensuring the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged.
If possible, try to plant your tree in an area that gets full sun all day. This will ensure that your tree grows healthy and strong. Live oaks need a variety of minerals and essential elements to grow properly. These include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Multi Purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer works well. Liquid fertilizers (such as Miracle Gro ) are mixed with water and applied the same as you would water the plant (see product for specific details). This should be done three or four times per year starting in late April and ending in mid July.
Trees, the largest and longest standing part of your garden, can also benefit from Epsom salt. By adding it to the soil, tree roots can absorb more minerals, giving you strong, healthy trees to enjoy for years to come.
Watering, pruning and using oak tree fertilizer on a regular basis will help keep oak trees healthy and better able to tolerate stress, insect and disease conditions or other tree problems.
Willow Oak
While these trees can be a little difficult to deal with and do not require a lot of fertilization, coffee grounds can help get the soil prepared before you plant. Test your soil levels, and if a bit of acidity is needed, use coffee grounds instead of harsher fertilizers.
Answer. The life span of oaks varies according to the species of oak. The average life span is about 100 - 300 years, but particular species can live for shorter or longer times.
A slow-release fertilizer with the nutrients your live oak needs is enough to improve the tree's health. Mulching eliminates weeds, retains moisture, and prevents the soil temperature from getting too hot in summer. However, the mulch shouldn't directly contact the live oak to avoid smothering the tree's roots.
They can use up to 100 gallons (about 378.54 L) of water per day during the growing season. That is why it is important to make sure they have a consistent supply of water. It is best to water your oak tree once a week, giving it a deep, thorough watering around the trunk and surrounding area.
Managing the Disease
Prevention is key with oak wilt, as there is no cure for the disease. There are preventative treatments, but trees that are already infected with oak wilt should immediately be removed and destroyed before the disease spreads to healthy trees.
In addition to watering correctly, it's also important to give your oak enough room to breathe and grow. If you want to plant anything else around your oak, it's best to choose drought-resistant plants and keep them at least six feet away from the base of the tree itself.
Re-fertilize all around the tree, especially the ground directly underneath the branches, to support those stressed roots. Next, apply fresh mulch in a donut shape around the base of the tree about one foot in distance away from it. This helps to prevent new diseases from taking advantage of weakened trees.
Infected trees show symptoms of general tree decline including branch dieback, loss of leaves and yellowing or browning of leaves in summer. Trees weakened by drought stress, wounding or other injuries are most susceptible.
Adding mulch can nearly double the tree growth rate – compared to when trees grow in grass. Mulch increases the growth rate of walnut trees by 89 percent. Other fine hardwood trees – like oak, maple, hickory, birch, beech and cherry trees – grow 79 percent more with mulch!
Green up Foliage
Sprinkle a table spoon of Epsom Salt around your trees and shrubs once a month to help them achieve healthier and more foliage that is greener and more resilient to environmental factors.
Caring for Oak Trees:
Deep watering promotes healthy root development. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree to retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds. Pruning: Prune oak trees to remove dead or diseased wood, shape the canopy, and improve air circulation.
If a tree has a rotting base or has absorbed slimy water from a dirty reservoir, these can be major contributors to unpleasant smells.
Just be sure to mop up spills straight away – oak is porous, so can easily soak up water, which will damage the finish. Use a paper towel or a clean cloth. Don't clean oiled oak furniture with a wet or damp cloth as this can strip protective oils from the table and might leave a mark.