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

[2LaneCruzer]

Looks great, that 2"x4" non-climb will keep most any critter out!

Shucks! Just looking at that cage makes me want to plant a 'mater inside there!

 

[Fossil Farm]

Those seedlings are young enough I would not worry about some side growth right now. Just keep checking them each year and prune or stake as needed to get straight trees if that is what you desire. In 10 to 20 years, with the trunk diameter much bigger, a lot of that crookedness will be absorbed. The cages will help a lot too. Just look out for neighbors planting 'maters in your cages !!

 

[Western]

Hey "tomaters" may be a good "diversionary tactic":thumbsup:

 

[forgeblast]

Someone mentioned the tubes.
I have used both the blue-x and tubex.
If you have deer in your area go with the tubex at 5'. Its what I have in my crep planting to keep the deer off.
Blue-x are recycled x-ray films pain to use and break down after a few years. Once I can take the tubes off my trees, I have some oaks that are 7' high now after 2 years (I bought 2' plants to start with), I will be able to use them to replant different areas in my forest.

 

[pharmvet]

Here is a picture of one of my trees. Miraculously, all of them are alive and well. They are all sprouting little red leaves that quickly turn green.

 

[dave1949]

Looks healthy. All the twigs/branches have set leaves, so that's good. Are you going to cut off that small branch down near the base?

 

[Fossil Farm]

Looks good !!! Nice job.