Oak trees (Quercus species) Oak trees (Quercus spp.) are a popular feature in folk tales, poetry, songs, and for their noble stature and strength as well as long life expectancy. Oaks grow slower than other plants and trees. Oak species grow an average of 12-24 inches each year. However, this growth rate varies between species and growth zones. As trees age, it also changes.
Oak species have a wide range of life spans. Oak trees typically live between 100 and 150 years. However, some oak species live less than 70 years like the laurel oak. Rare oak trees, like the Angel Oak Tree in South Carolina, can live up to 2,000 years.
These plants can be a valuable addition to any property. They improve soil fertility and soil stability. They protect groundwater and are an important species that provides food and shelter for many other species.
Facts About Oak Tree Lifespan
Oak trees belong to the beech family. They can be grown as trees or shrubs depending on their environment.
Oaks can withstand both freezing winters, and scorching summers. These important plants are native to the Northern Hemisphere and can be found in cool temperate or warm tropical climates.
North America has the greatest number of oak species.
There are approximately 90 species of oak trees in the United States. In Mexico, there are 160 species. China is home to approximately 100 oak species.
There are approximately 500 species of oaks that have been discovered by humans.
We won’t get into all the details of each species. We don’t want to go into all that detail! Instead, we will focus on common species you might have on your property.
| TREE | LIFESPAN | ANNUAL GROWTH | FULL HEIGHT | BEST HARDINESS ZONE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willow oak | 100 years | 13-24″ | 40-60′ | 5-9 |
| Japanese evergreen oak | 2000 years | 36″ | 30′ | 9a-11 |
| Water oak | 60-80 Years | 24″ | 100′ | 6-9 |
| Pin oak | 120 years | 24″ | 60-70′ | 4-8 |
| Chinkapin oak | 100 years | 12-24″ | 50′ | 3-9a |
| Post oak | 300-400 Years | 2″ | 40′ | 5-9 |
| Bur oak | 200-300 Years | 12″ | 80′ | 2a-8a |
| White oak | 500-600 Years | 12-18″ | 80′ | 3b-8b |
| Coast live oak | 250 years | 24″ | 70′ | 9-10 |
| Interior live oak | 150 years | 12-24″ | 70′ | 8-10 |
| Canyon live oak | 150 years | 24″ | 100′ | 8-10 |
| Southern live oak | 1000 years | 24-36″ | 50′ | 7b-10b |
| Valley oak | 300 years | 24-36″ | 130′ | 7-9 |
| Southern red oak | 150 years | 12-36″ | 60-80′ | 6-9 |
| Blue oak | 90 to 100 years | 6″ | 100′ | 5-10 |
| Black oak | 100 years | 8-12″ | 50-60′ | 3-9 |
| Laurel oak | 50-70 Years | 24″ | 100′ | 6-9 |
| Red oak | 300-500 Years | 24″ | 90-140′ | 4-8 |
| Nuttall Oak | 100 years | 24-36″ | 40-60′ | 6-9 |
Most Common Oak Trees in the United States
There are at most 500 varieties of oak trees in the world.
Oak trees also have the ability to create hybrid species naturally. This makes it a difficult task to extend the lifespan of all oak tree.
Oak trees can be divided into red oaks or white oaks.
Their leaf shapes are the main difference. Red oak leaves are more pointed, but white oak tree leaves have round leaf tips. The white oak tree’s acorns are more prolific than those of the red oaks. This list includes trees from both of these groups.
We’ll stick to the most commonly found species in North America for now. These are the most commonly found species that you will likely see in a nursery or on your own property.
We will also include information to help ensure that your tree grows strong and is healthy.
Black Oak
Life expectancy: 100 years
This oak species is a member of the red oak family. It is a native species that is widely distributed in the eastern and central North America. It is likely that you have seen it if you live anywhere from Maine to Texas or even inland in Michigan, Ontario and Minnesota.
Black oaks thrive in well-drained silty clay. The tree can only grow 8-12 inches per year until it is established. These trees can grow up to two to three feet per year once they are established.
A black oak, when taken care of properly, can provide shade and shelter for wildlife for up to 100 years.
Bur Oak
Life expectancy: 200-300 Years
The botanical name of the Bur oak is Quercus microcarpa. This Oak bears large fruits. This is a little understatement. This oak can reach over 80 feet tall, has leaves over 10 inches in length, and can produce acorns larger than limes.
The Mossycup Oak is also known as Bur Oak. It gets its name because of the shaggy acorn caps that cover its acorns. These trees can grow up to 20 inches per year once they are sown.
Bur oaks can be found in streams, parries, and open woods, but they prefer to be closer to the water. The Bicentennial Tree is one of the oldest Bur oaks and it is thought to be over 400 years old. The average life expectancy of most specimens is 200-300 years.
Laurel Oak
Life expectancy: 50-70 Years
Quercus Laurifolia is a fast-growing oak.
This oak is good for humid and rainy climates, but it is not picky about temperatures. It is found all along the coast from New York to Washington. It can be found from Florida to Southern California and even down to Mexico.
Water Oak
Life expectancy: 60-80 Years
Quercus Nigra is the water oak. It’s native to the east and south-central United States. This oak can be found in every state along the coast, from New Jersey to Texas to inland to Oklahoma, Kentucky and southern Missouri.
The water oak is more picky than some other oaks in terms of growing conditions.
It is a naturally occurring wetland tree and can be found in lowlands at up to 1500 feet in elevation. It can live in wet and swampy environments, but will tolerate well-drained soil. It thrives in red clays and sandy soils.
It is not able to tolerate light shade and will not thrive in crowded areas.
This oak will not last more than a few decades. Water oaks are relatively short-lived. They live for 60 to 80 years on average.
It is also a fast-growing plant that reproduces quickly. This makes it an ideal candidate to restore bottomland hardwood forests following agriculture or pine plantation use.
Pin Oak
Life expectancy: 150 years
Quercus Palustris is a red oak species. The pin oak, also known as the swamp Spanish oak or Quercus palustris is one of these species. The pin oak gets its name because of the small branchlets that grow along the limbs and greater branches.
Another species that is wet-tolerant is the Pin Oak. Although they are very different, these two plants are similar. The Pin Oak Quercus Palustris is more common in the interior states of the United States and up to Ontario, Canada, than the Water Oak .
Pin oaks thrive in poorly-drained floodplains and river-bottom soils. Pin oaks also thrive in areas with high clay content.
They do not like standing water, but they will grow in moist soil.
The Pin Oak also has a longer life span than the Water Oak. It can live for around 150 years or nearly twice as long as our other water-tolerant oaks.
Pin oak is one the most widely used landscaping oaks within its native zone. It is easy to transplant and grows quickly.
Live Oak
Life expectancy: Up to 1,000+ Years
The live oak is a great choice if you are looking to impress, and also have the land and climate to do it well in the southeast. Quercus Virginiana is also known as the Southern Live Oak. It is an evergreen oak tree that is native to the Southeastern United States.
Although oaks can be loosely called “live oak”, a true southern oak is the most famous tree in the United States, especially in the Old South.
Live oak trees are some of the largest and oldest trees along the east coast. Living oaks can live up to 1,000 years in the region where they are found.
The most well-known specimen is Angel Oak on Johns Island, South Carolina. It is thought to be between 400 and 500 years old. It stands 66.5 feet tall and measures 28 feet in circumference. It’s even more impressive that the Angel Oak’s longest branch measures 187 feet in length and covers 17200 square feet of shade.
While some people claim that the tree is as old as 1500 years or more, many arborists believe that it may be closer to 500 years. This is nothing to be proud of.
Oak Tree Care
Let’s begin by saying that every species of oak tree requires different care based on its habitat.
Oak trees, except for Pin Oaks or Water Oaks, prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
They are generally well-suited for the natural changes in seasons. Once established, most oaks are capable of enduring both hot and dry summers as well as cold and wet winters.
Oaks can take a good soak in winter, even if it’s a dry year. It is safe to also water them once or twice a summer, if they are dry. Make sure you water them slowly throughout the day to ensure that the soil around them is not too dry.
You should not water an oak that is over 50 years old more than once a month. Mulch can be placed at the tree’s base to prevent the soil from drying out and to control nutrient-sucking weeds.
Oaks don’t like shade. Although they are shade-providers, oaks do not need it. To ensure that your oak grows happy and healthy, full sun is the best option.
Common Oak Diseases
Any homeowner who is fortunate enough to have a large oak tree on their property is proud of it. Even the smallest organism can fall a 100-year-old oak tree. Here are some signs you should be looking for if your oak is a prized one.
Oak Leaf Blister
Taphrina cankerulescens is a fungal leaf disease. Be aware of raised bumps on leaves that are larger than 2 inches.
This disease is very common in oak trees. Although it is not fatal, this disease can cause oak trees to lose a lot of their leaves.
Bur Oak Blight
Bur oaks are not affected by this blight, as their name implies. This fungus spreads slowly on the leaves. The symptoms appear in late August or early September, but the fungus must have a long period before the oak begins to show symptoms.
Infected leaves will have black veins on their leaves and stick to the trunk of the tree when they fall. This spreads the disease.
Although not directly fatal to the tree, this pathogen can cause the tree to become more susceptible to other diseases. These trees can live for over 200 years.
Oak Wilt
This is the one you need to be aware of, as it can cause your prize oaks to die.
Oak Wilt is caused when oak sap is eaten by beetles. Although it can be found in all oak trees, the fungus is more common in red oak varieties.
This disease is easily identified by sudden leaf wilt. It starts at the top of the leaf, and then works its way down. Also, you may notice sudden leaf fall. You may also notice sudden leaf drop. This can cause a mature oak to die within three weeks.
Why Keep and Encourage Oak Tree Growth?
Oak trees are not only a beautiful, shade-producing focal point for your property but also a vital part of the local environment.
Oak trees are considered keystone species. They play an essential role in soil ecology and the carbon cycle.
The oak is a long-lived tree that provides shelter for many shade-tolerant plants, birds, squirrels and even deer.
If you’re looking for wood to light your next campfire, or clearing the land for a new home, keep that oak tree. It is likely that the oak tree will provide shade for many decades or even centuries.