Need advice on the small white oak trees I planted last year.

pharmvet · Feb 18, 2013

I planted about 50 white oak trees last spring. I planted the trees along both sides of the driveway that will eventually lead to a new home. I planted them 60 feet apart (both directions). I spent countless hours last summer hauling water to them. I mulched them. About a month ago, I pruned them. I have been planning to build net wire cylinders to put around them for protection but have been dragging my feet. I drove down to check on them today and confirmed my fear. Deer have eaten lots of the terminal buds. Here is a picture that it typical of what I found.

I have some questions: Looking at this particular tree, it is evident that the upper rt. branch became dominant last summer. Now that the terminal bud has been chewed off, I suspect that one of the lower buds will eventually sprout the dominant branch. With this happening, can I expect that this tree will ever be straight and tall, or is it destined to have major branches low to the ground and no real dominant trunk? Any and all information, suggestions, advice welcomed here. thanks

Western · Feb 18, 2013

Mark, I think that tree may have been destined to be "crooked" before the deer nipped it. I do know deer like everything there is about White Oaks, so may be time to bite the bullet and fence of the remaining ones. 1 "T" post and some wire per tree ought to do it.

Personally, I'd let tht one grow, will have a good story and some "character" in say 40 years! or you could replace that one.

Where I have seen tall straight White Oaks (many in SE Oklahoma) is where they are forced to grow to the sun in deep woods, out in the open like that, you may get a whole different look all together.

teampryor · Feb 18, 2013

fence them as mentioned above and let them grow. You may be surprised how the trunk pushes that fork up as it grows. Personally I always plant close for tall strait trunks, then cull the undesirables. Our property has 30 or so chinqapin oaks that have huge acorns, with massive leaves, and some seriously shaggy white bark. The white oak family of trees are truly my favorite of all the oaks. Good luck with them.

jk96 · Feb 18, 2013

I would at least wait until spring and see what shoots come of the main trunk. You may be able to trim and get a new shoot to take up the main trunk. I've got a white oak in my yard that I planted 5 years ago. Right now it's about 4 feet tall and the tallest its ever been. My dogs have chewed it off at ground level each year since I planted it. Last spring I gave up on it as it was chewed again and thought it was dead. This summer while mowing it shot from the ground almost 12" between mowings after laying dormant for a couple of months. It's probably straighter than when I planted it.

pharmvet · Feb 18, 2013

For my own education, Can this particular tree end up with a straight trunk, even though its dominant branch takes off at about a 45 degree angle and will have to branch again because of the loss of the terminal bud? In other words, as this tree increases in diameter will it incorporate these upward angles into a straight trunk?

DKCDKC · Feb 18, 2013

With trees of this size, I'd also consider using the bio-degradable tubes various forest services use. They admit some light and allow the seedling to get four or five feet tall before emerging where the deer can get them. The deer then crop them for a year or two while the roots grow, then the tree seems to grow really fast for a few feet and jumps out of reach of the deer. It does seem to work, and it's simple to do. I've used them successfully. I have had some groundhogs chews some up, but generally they do OK. And they're cheaper and easier than small fences.

I too love the oak family. My forest here is full of white, red and black oaks, with a few willow oaks by the stream. They are study, attractive and ultimately make good timber or firewood.

MossRoad · Feb 18, 2013

It will never be straight and tall because the nearest competition for sunlight is 60 feet away. It has no reason to reach for the sun and with side branches taking over as the main trunk it will tend to remain shorter and squattier. Plant 3 or four white pines around one about 5' away on each side. The pines will grow fast in a pyramid shape and cause stress to the oak in the center, which will cause it to grow straight to try to outreach the pines for sunlight. In about 10 years cut the pines down and you'll have a nice straight oak. Keep the oak fenced until you cut down the pines.

TNhobbyfarmer · Feb 18, 2013

DKCDKC said:
With trees of this size, I'd also consider using the bio-degradable tubes various forest services use. They admit some light and allow the seedling to get four or five feet tall before emerging where the deer can get them. The deer then crop them for a year or two while the roots grow, then the tree seems to grow really fast for a few feet and jumps out of reach of the deer. It does seem to work, and it's simple to do. I've used them successfully. I have had some groundhogs chews some up, but generally they do OK. And they're cheaper and easier than small fences.

I too love the oak family. My forest here is full of white, red and black oaks, with a few willow oaks by the stream. They are study, attractive and ultimately make good timber or firewood.

Where can you get the tubes?

pharmvet · Feb 19, 2013

Spent half the day building 4' diameter "cages" for my little trees. Tomorrow I will drive in some T-Posts if I have time. I'm planning to mulch them again also before long. Hand is WAY SORE from the hog ring pliers.