Live oaks can live for well over 60 years, often reaching 250-500 years in good growing locations. Maturity is reached by 75 years.
Live oaks in Texas can exceed 300 years or even more in exceptional cases. Water oaks may not last more than 50 years. There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of an oak tree. One of the most important is the species of oak tree.
The thing is, live oaks tend to drop all their leaves at once and that is too much waste material all at once. If they are piled up around tree and shrub bases, fungus may come in and damage the plant, especially if it is rainy or you are watering that bed.
Once a Live Oak tree reaches its mature stage, it only needs to be pruned every three to five years. For this kind of routine Oak tree trimming and pruning, the best time to prune is in the fall or winter. However, there are cases when it's better to go ahead and prune Oak trees, even during peak Oak Wilt season.
It is recommended to avoid pruning any oak trees throughout the growing season which is April 1 - November 1. Overland spread of the disease occurs mainly by sap feeding beetles that pick up fungal spores and carry them to freshly pruned (or wounded), healthy trees.
Once you know the growth factor for the tree species you are trying to age, you can do the final calculation by multiplying the diameter (13.05 inches for our white oak) by the growth factor (5.0). The resulting number is the approximate age of the tree, so in our case our white oak tree is about 65 years old.
Oak Tree Wildlife Benefits
The oak is indeed mighty when it comes to providing for your favorite fliers. In California alone, more than 330 wildlife species, including acorn woodpeckers and yellow-billed magpies, depend on these trees for survival, according to the conservationists at Point Blue Conservation Science.
1. Oak. 'Mature oak trees are highly valued in real estate – prized for their longevity and strength,' says Gene Caballero. Oak trees have large canopies which offer extensive shade.
Many factors go into planting a live oak tree. First, the tree needs enough space when it is first planted. It should have at least 180 square feet, and it should be 40 to 50 feet away from other trees. Additionally, the live oak needs to be 15 to 20 feet away from structures like your home or driveway.
Vertical cracks, seams, dead branch stubs and large, older wounds suggest internal decay. Severe damage to the main trunk often warrants removal of the tree. If the damaged area is less than 25 percent of the circumference of the trunk, the wound could gradually heal over and no permanent injury should result.
These trees prefer an organic soil. Organic fertilizers, like manure or compost, can be used with great success. This material should be worked into the open soil at a rate of one bushel per 1″ of trunk caliper or 100 square feet of bed area.
Saving a dying oak tree requires a combination of knowledge, dedication, and professional support. By recognizing the signs of decline, identifying the underlying causes, and implementing targeted treatments, you can give your oak tree the best chance at recovery.
Typical Root Depth
Mature Southern Live Oaks can have roots that reach depths of up to 15 feet. This depth allows them to access moisture and nutrients that are unavailable to many other plants.
Trees can live anywhere from less than 100 years to more than a few thousand years depending on the species. However, one species in particular outlives them all. The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) has been deemed the oldest tree in existence, reaching an age of over 5,000 years old.
You can pick up your live oak trees. However! The smallest tree we sell weighs about 8,000lbs (4 tons!) with bigger trees upwards of 20,000lbs (10+ tons) each. Trees will range from 28 feet in overall height to 45 feet in length.
5) Live oaks can be very messy trees. They are deciduous but shed most of their leaves in the early spring just as the new leaves are emerging. Every leaf is shed every year. In the fall they produce a lot of acorns that can cover the ground.
Quercus alba – White Oak.
Grows 12'-15' over a 10 to 12 year period, reaching 80 feet or so.
Oak has a long history of folklore throughout Europe and was sacred to many people, including the ancient Greeks, the Norse and the Celts. Oak's association with the gods of thunder may have come from the phenomenon that oaks are often split by lightning being the tallest trees standing in the landscape.
This will not only protect your foundation, it will protect your house if the tree falls in a storm. A large tree species like an elm or an oak should be planted at least 50 feet from a home, while a smaller one like a dogwood or a magnolia can be planted just 10 feet away.
Dogwood Trees are one of the most popular front yard trees because of their amazing spring display. Choose from red, pink, or white flowers. For a slightly different look, the popular Kousa Dogwood has white blooms in spring and red fall foliage. Dogwood trees are adaptable and drought tolerant.
Oak trees are accorded heritage value and the governments enact laws to protect them. The state of California is no exception. Most city-building and developmental activities happen through the destruction of vegetation and clearing the way for buildings.
If you want to transplant an oak that has been growing for a few years, it's important to take every possible precaution. But, an oak tree can be transplanted until it is 5-8 feet tall. It is during this time that severing the root won't cause any severe damage to the tree.
A live oak trees approximate age (in years) is determined by mutiplying its circumference (in inches measure at your chest height), divided by 3.14, times a growth factor of 4.