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The world needs all the trees it can get. Fortunately, arboreal friends bring a host of benefits to landscapes besides cleaner air. They’re sources of shade, food and habitats for friendly critters. The southern red oak is no exception. Here’s why it deserves a prized spot — or several — on your lawn.
Southern red oaks are among the slowest-growing trees. This characteristic makes them favorites among city planners, as they are unlikely to grow huge roots and tear up sidewalks in a season or two. They take at least two years to reach maturity.
Oak trees are among the most popular landscaping trees, and there are about 435 species that flourish worldwide. What distinguishes the southern red oak from its many cousins is its habitat. They grow best in humid areas with no distinct wet seasons, long summers and short winters. In the U.S., these trees flourish from the southernmost tip of Pennsylvania through the top half of Florida and as far west as east Texas. They grow well in sandy, clay-like soils and thrive in nine types of forest, often occurring alongside its cousin, the white oak.
The best time to establish new red oak trees is at the beginning of the spring growing season. However, those with young trees should protect them with cover or even bring them inside if they remain in their pots to survive a freak frost.
Southern red oaks grow to between 60 and 80 feet in height and spread about 60 to 70 feet. They have long, straight trunks and high, rounded crowns that require minimal pruning. These trees are monoecious, meaning that they bear both male and female flowers on the same plant. They bloom from April to May in groups of five or six filaments that look like small floral chains.
Southern red oaks, like many oaks, are rich in tannins. These substances can be toxic but also have medicinal properties. Contrary to popular belief, you can eat the acorns, but not raw. Gather them when they still have their caps and leach them by boiling them in alternating pots until the water turns clear. You can also soak them in several changes of cold water the way you would dried beans. Clear water means they’re safe to eat.
Acorns deliver protein, carbohydrates and fiber, along with a healthy dose of vitamin C. Many people ground them into flour. Blend a bit in with your traditional flour mix to add nutrients and a burst of nutty goodness to cookies and muffins.
One of the features that makes the southern red oak so attractive in landscaping is its low maintenance needs. While you may need to water it regularly when you establish it, like many plants, it goes into a dormancy period during the winter dry months. Therefore, you won’t have to hold the hose on chilly mornings.
Oak trees have a slow growth rate, which also makes them attractive to homeowners, particularly those in urban locations. They’re unlikely to disrupt sidewalks with root growth, minimizing repair needs. While they are deciduous, their leaves create winter habitats for critters and add valuable nutrients back to the soil. Therefore, it’s better not to rake them — and, much to the delight of your neighbors’ eardrums, the same rule applies to leaf-blowers.
Southern red oaks are susceptible to fire, although the bark damage it causes can be worse than quick consummation from the blaze. It leaves the tree open to heart rot, cankers and various other fungi.
Droughts have imperiled southern red oaks along the South Carolina coast. Leaf blister and leaf rot can damage their spectacular foliage. These trees are also susceptible to insects, including the hickory spiral borer, acorn weevil and filbert worm.
You can grow a new southern red oak from an acorn, and doing so can be a powerful symbolic gesture. Remove the cap from your second fall growth of acorns, which is the second crop that appears after the first one. The cap is the little tam-looking piece that sits atop the acorn. Be careful not to damage the interior seed, and place them in water. Gather the ones that sink, discard the floaters and tuck the remainder in a baggie filled with moss in your fridge to chill until spring.
In the spring, place the seeds in moist, damp soil and mist them regularly as you await germination, which can take several weeks. Once your seedlings sprout, reduce the humidity. After the seedling throws down roots and unfurls a few leaves, transplant them into pots with well-draining soil.
When it’s time for outdoor planting, dig a hole twice the size of your root ball. Moisten it and place your young tree inside, patting the dirt back into place around it. Place it in an area with plenty of sunlight, in slightly acidic soil. Cover the surrounding earth with 2-4 inches of mulch and water your new tree twice a week for the first year, excluding the winter dormancy period. Water it once weekly for the next year, supplementing only during drought.
Planting a southern red oak is a powerful act, symbolic of the ongoing life cycle. Young trees planted as you near your golden years are unlikely to reach maturity in your lifetime. However, they can live from 200 to 300 years, standing tall for future generations.
Southern red oaks are majestic trees that require little maintenance. Planting one is a powerful, symbolic way to lay down your roots and provide generations with natural wonder while enhancing your property value.
Jack Shaw is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, gardening, and caring for the outdoors. He’s the senior writer of Modded and has contributed his advice through sites like Green Living Journal, House 2 Home Organizing, Log Cabin Hub, and more. You can reach him via LinkedIn.
