Tree planting

[rjwassink67]

I am getting 10 each of red oak, red maple, sugar maple, and black walnut. I am filling a space to square off a field. Should I just plant them randomly or group them? Does one of them do better as a edge tree? Thanks for any advice

 

[dragoneggs]

I don't have a intelligent guess but I am interested. Wouldn't think it matters but following along to learn.

 

[jaxs]

The answer largely depend's on what you want it to look like 20 years later. Here are a few considerations that might help with deciding on configuration to plant. Once Walnut reaches maturity,most other plants in a 12'-25' radius will be stunted or killed. For nicest mature tree,interplant pine between them and on perimiter. Pine out races deciduous trees first few years. That will incourge more upright growth. If there's a nearby market you can sell the pine.

 

[dragoneggs]

If I were a younger man I would be planting walnut for the wood a bunch of years later.

 

[fatjay]

I use a pine as a barrier tree. green giant is my choice. I have the front lined with dogwood's and empress.

If memory serves maples have surface roots, and i hate surface roots. real pain in the *** to deal with.

 

[Diggin It]

The answer largely depend's on what you want it to look like 20 years later.

I have a number of Red Oaks that started wild from acorns from a big tree about 20 years ago. They're 3-4" diameter and 10-15' tall. Red Oaks grow very slowly, but VERY large. The parent tree is probably close to 80' tall and probably that big around for branch/leaf spread.

I left the saplings to grow long enough to be used for firewood, but now I have a couple of dozen stumps to deal with.

I use pines and cedars for low level privacy screens. They'll grow rather thick so nosy neighbors and passersby can't see me taking a leak.

 

[Ford850]

I would group the black walnuts due to them forcing most other plants and trees around them. They will likely be the fastest growing of the group too. The others will be slower to start but in a few years they will grow fairly quick too.

 

[mikester]

I would group the black walnuts due to them forcing most other plants and trees around them. They will likely be the fastest growing of the group too. The others will be slower to start but in a few years they will grow fairly quick too.

Ditto

The red oaks and sugar maples will take a lot of space when mature. Put more space in between them, probably at least double what you think it should be. Full sun for best results.

 

[ruffdog]

I have a field I planted white/red/black oak, maple, black walnuts 25 years ago. They are on a 25' grid and are mixed. I also have a section that has walnuts on a 12.5' grid. If you want the walnuts to be tall and straight, I would try about a 20' spacing and about a 40'+ for branching out more. My tight spaced area will be thinned as I need firewood. The grass is starting to thin and die under the trees in the faster growing areas. If you just want nice looking individual specimens, plant them 80'+ spacing.:2cents:

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I am getting 10 each of red oak, red maple, sugar maple, and black walnut. I am filling a space to square off a field. Should I just plant them randomly or group them? Does one of them do better as a edge tree? Thanks for any advice

To do well the Red Oak and Sugar Maples should be planted 30 to 40 ft apart. The Maples have a fibrous root system that stay near the surface and can take a little bit of wet ground. The Black Walnuts have a taproot system, and like deep, well drained soils. They will grow slower than the Oaks and Maples. An edge tree? Have any pictures of the field?