White oaks

[buzzb673]

Fertilizing white oaks, what type, when, how much?

[Landguy]

We usually do it about late July or early August. We've used 10-10-10 from Southern States. How much depends on the size of the tree but a large tree will get 6-8 handfulls tossed around it. I know this highly detailed information might not help much. To be honest, I haven't noticed that it has helped any other than make us feel better. Maybe someone else has had some luck with this.

[bburgs]

Tried Miracle-Gro tree spikes a couple years ago. They just smashed up when I tried to pound them in. Plus I think I needed a lot more than I put out.

Don't really know if it helped any...

Saw a show on TV once where they took a posthole digger and dug about 6 or so holes a foot or more deep around the tree at the edge of the branches, then filled them within a few inches of the top of the hole with fertilizer (can't remember what type - 10-10-10 would probably work).

Then cap off the holes with dirt and you're in business. Probably a lot more effective than my weak attempt with the tree spikes but also a lot more work.

[HunterEd]

Fertilizing white oaks, what type, when, how much?

All oaks (Quercus) trees in North America are basically in two categories, red and white. Quercus Alba (name of white oak tree), Bur oak, Post, Overcup, Bicolor, Chestnut, Chinkapin, Swamp Chestnut, and many western oaks, etc, are in the white oak family. They are prefered by widlife due to the sweet tasting acorn.

Pin, Shumard, Black, Blackjack, Northern Red, Southern Red, Scarlet, Nutall, etc, are all in the red oak family. They are used by wildlife usually after all available white oak acorns are gone. They are bitter in taste due to the amount of tanin in the nut.

Acorns in the white oak family mature in one season depending on environmental factors, primarily moisture as reported on several postings. Acorns in the red oak family usually mature in two seasons (with a few exceptions). So, mother nature controls the game of acorn production in more ways than one. But, you can have a impact on acorn production on a favorite tree or a whole grouping depending on time, personal resources, and mother nature.

Management to consider: If you can manipulate the habitat you hunt, you might consider these items.

1. Control all competiting vegetation around a tree under and past the drip line by 3-4 times the diameter of the tree trunk. 10 in tree, remove vegetation 30 to 40 foot BEYOND the tree dripline if possible.

2. Fertilize during the dormant season with preferably a fertilizer with high amounts of phosphorus and potassium (P&K). Feed stores usually can get or have bagged/bulk fertilizer in 9-24-24, 8-24-24, & or 6-24-24, or can formulate it. Apply 3- 5 pounds of any above formulation high in P&K per diameter inch of the tree's trunk ( 10 inch tree=30 to 50 pounds of "actual material") from outside the dripline as you clear vegetation to within several feet of the tree trunk (a reccommendation based on text book tree fertilization vs my own experience). Nitrogen is not as critical as phosphorus and potassium with respect to acorn production and in excessive amounts can cause problems. This is why it is best to stay away from garden/lawn type fertilizer formulations.

Remember that ONE 50 pound bag of 10-20-10 CONTAINS only 5 pounds of actual nitrogen, 10 pounds of actual phosphorus, and 5 pounds of actual potassium. The numbers 10-20-10 refer to the amount of actual NP&K in 100 pounds of this fertilizer. Yes, 10-20-10 is actualy misleading to the consumer but a long time industry standard.

3. Lime: (by soil testing using you local Agricultural/Extension Land Grant Colleges). This is primarily for WHITE OAKS ONLY! Most red oaks naturally grown on acid soils and will have sever growth problems if lime is applied.

HOPE THIS HELPS!!!

[buzzb673]

Yes it does and thanks to all.

[westkybanded]

If you are looking at future timber value, I've heard that fertilizing trees makes them grow too fast and puts the growth rings too far appart.

[buzzb673]

Do I need to put it in the ground or just spread on and around?