AgEBB-MU CAFNR Extension
Green Horizons
Volume 24, Number 2
Spring 2020
Plant an Oak!
(But not a Pin Oak)
 |
| Created by The Midwest Tree Whisperer a friend of our local urban trees, in association with Grow Native |
Our great state of Missouri is the native home to a diversity of native oak species adapted to a variety of site conditions - from the rocky hilltops of the Ozarks, to the rich soils of the valleys, and the fertile basins of our wonderful rivers and streams.
Why NOT a Pin Oak, a Missouri native species?
While pin oaks thrive and prosper in their bottomlands, trees planted in alkaline (high calcium) soils develop iron chlorosis, which leads to poor health and yellow to yellowish-green foliage - a common condition exhibited on prairie soils and at many of our urban and suburban landscapes containing significant deposits of crushed limestone remaining from construction site activities.
Choose the RIGHT tree for the RIGHT place.
Choose the RIGHT tree for the RIGHT place. With our native oaks, there are alternate species to choose which are better adapted to the challenging conditions of urban and suburban sites with significantly disturbed soils - high clay content and high soil PH (alkaline) - along with the rigors of our diverse climatic environment.
Top oak choices for Missouri landscapes
White Oak Group
- Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) - although growing in low, wet areas in the wild, this longlived (up to 350 years!) oak species can withstand drought conditions once established. Tolerant of diverse landscape site conditions.
Acorn volume: medium
Acorn size: medium - Overcup Oak (Quercus lyrata) - another oak native to flooded sites, this species can tolerate somewhat drier conditions. An excellent shade tree for low-lying areas.
Acorn volume: low
Acorn size: medium - Swamp Chestnut Oak (Quercus michauxii) - Another attractive shade tree for low-lying sites adaptable to a variety of landscape conditions. Fall foliage color is an outstanding red. Highly deserving of great use in the landscape as a large shade tree.
Acorn volume: low/medium
Acorn size: large - Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) - occurring naturally in alkaline, rocky soils, this long-lived oak species is highly adapted to urban and suburban site conditions. Forms an attractive shade tree and relatively resistant to insects and disease.
Acorn volume: medium
Acorn size: small
Red Oak Group
- Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) - a relatively fast growing oak, native to bottomland sites growing with tulip tree, shellbark hickory, Shumard oak, swamp chestnut oak, red mulberry and red buckeye. Quite adaptable to urban and suburban site conditions.
Acorn volume: low
Acorn size: small - Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) - a long-lived, fast growing species first introduced to cultivation in the late 1600's. Found growing naturally throughout the state of Missouri growing in welldrained soils of moist ravines, north and east facing slopes, and on slopes at the base of bluffs.
Acorn volume: medium
Acorn size: large - Nuttall Oak (Quercus texana) - grows naturally on poorly drained clay flats and floodplains. Quite similar in appearance to the Pin Oak but much more adaptable to varied soil conditions of Missouri and exhibits a better branching habit.
Acorn volume: low/medium
Acorn size: medium - Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) - a moderately fast growing, long-lived tree highly adaptable to sites ranging from wet to dry. One of the first oaks to turn color in the autumn with vibrant red tones.
Acorn volume: medium
Acorn size: large
 |
For more information about native oaks and other excellent native tree choices for your landscape: www.grownative.org
Special thanks to the following individuals for their generous sharing of knowledge to assist content development and editing of this educational brochure: Carol Davit, Missouri Prairie Foundation/Grow Native!; Wayne Lovelace, Forrest Keeling Nursery; Bill Spradley, Trees, Forests and Landscapes; Guy Sternberg, Starhill Forest Arboretum; Douglas Tallamy, University of Delaware; Robert Weaver, The Gateway Gardener Magazine.