Oak, the king of the forest

Oak is one of the most common trees and the most majestic when it grows to great height.

Major Oak facts

Name – Quercus
Family – Fagaceae
Type – tree

Height – 50 to 115 feet (15 to 35 meters)
Exposure – full sun
Soil – not so chalky

Foliage – deciduous
Flowering – spring

Often grown in parks or woods, it is only grown in our gardens if sufficient space is available. But there are actually a great many oak varieties, and choosing the right one is important since some are perfectly suited to growing in smaller gardens.

• Read also: Evergreen oak, a superb evergreen tree.

Planting oak

Plant it in an isolated spot, because an oak tree can grow very large, sometimes dozens of feet across and even taller than it is wide…

Follow the planting advice scrupulously and favor cool soil.

Pruning an oak tree

It isn’t necessary to prune oak trees, if only after a few years to remove branches that jut out of the trunk in the first six feet (two meters). This will help mow the lawn under the tree more easily.

If you must prune oak, winter is best, but not during freezing days.

Also, remove dead, weak and fragile branches regularly when you notice them.

Learn more about oak

Oak, sometimes called the “King of the forest”, is remarkable for its wood, the beauty of its leaves, and its majestic inspiring silhouette, especially when it grows to be dozens of feet tall.

In fall, the hues of its leaves are like fire, with bright red, orange and yellow colors.

Avoid the typical forest oak in your garden because its slow growth and spectacular height it can reach might make you feel like you made a mistake…

Diseases and parasites infecting oak

• Oak processionary – Treating against these is difficult for tall oak trees. There are treatments against oak processionary caterpillars.
• Foliage covered with white – It is most probably powdery mildew.