How to Plant Live Oak Trees in Texas
Live oaks are beautiful trees, often growing to 40 or 60 feet tall with canopies of up to 100 feet. Their lifespans are usually measured in centuries. Since they are capable of providing an immense amount of shade, they require a lot of space to grow. The trees grow about 2 feet a year until they become mature. When planting these trees in Texas, consider planting the Escarpment Live Oak or Texas Live Oak varieties, which are more resistant to cold and drought. It is also important to protect the tree against oak wilt, as explained below. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Find a large area unencumbered by buildings or large, established trees. Live oaks require significant amounts of space.
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Dig a hole at the desired location large enough to accommodate the young tree's existing root system. Do not add fertilizer or other soil amendments.
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Take the tree out of its pot gently and insert the tree's roots (along with the dirt around them) into the hole. Fill the hole with soil and pack it loosely.
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Water the tree deeply every four days. Keep this for the entire first year in order to stimulate the tree to extend its root system. Do not water the tree right at the trunk, as this can encourage root rot. Instead, try using a drip irrigation system, a soaker ball, or a soaker hose.
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Mulch the base of the tree. Do not use stones or Bermuda hay; pine needles, wood chips or alfalfa hay are preferable. These will help the tree retain moisture and will keep away competing plants. Mulch should be 2 to 4 inches deep and should not be touch the base of the tree.
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Decrease the frequency of watering to once every two weeks after the first year. You will also need to mulch again at this time.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid using chemical pesticides around the tree; they can be absorbed by the roots and damage the tree. Avoid pruning the tree until after its spring growth spurt. Pruning before that period will make the tree more vulnerable to oak wilt, which is a major killer of live oaks in Texas. Oak wilt enters trees through wounds in the branches and trunk, so the more you prune, the more vulnerable the tree will be.
References
- Photo Credit oak image by lemure66 from Fotolia.com
