Another introduction experiment- Black Oak

The Ent · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 784 Location: ,

As far as I am aware we don't have any Black Oak trees in these parts. On a recent trip to Kentucky, I picked up some saplings of a Black Oak growing there. The soil there is red clay with considerable rock. The leaves look reminiscent of the Texas or Shumard Red Oak leaf that is about twice as wide but similar ends.
I got these from acorns that had set nearby. Got pretty much their whole root system. I'm planning over-wintering them in the garage under lights. I'm going to get them a decent size in the next year growing in pots that are a mix of their original soil and the stuff here, seeing if they will adapt.
If they adapt well, might be a pretty tree for us to look into around here.
Will post updates over time.

Tree Dude · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 262 Location: Saginaw,TX

TX champ black oak is in Wood county according Tx Forest Service. I have not seen black oaks in Tx, but i have in OK.

Tree Dude

The Ent · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 784 Location: ,

Well here's hoping.
Since they're new transplants, I've got them sheltered in the garage (temps keep dipping close to freezing, want to baby them a bit) under lights. So far they seem happy though they should be close to dropping leaves I bet. Unless they hold them like Red Oak.
After winter I'll get the pots in the yard and get them acclimated, once they have more size on them (average 5-6 inches right now) we'll get some in the ground in mid Spring. Pots have a mix of their original soil and the local soil here, with a dash of lavasand since they're in pots. Sprinkled in some natural fertilizer and mushroom compost on top.

The Ent · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 784 Location: ,

Okay one difference so far from Red Oak- it does not retain its dormant leaves until spring.

My saplings here are dropping them and my father reports in KY that the parent trees there have done likewise.

Soon it'll be naptime till Spring.

The Ent · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 784 Location: ,

Well despite one of the cats having walked over them and snapped a twig or two while exploring the garage in the winter, all four of the black oaks I brought home from Kentucky have leafed out and begun growing. They come out red, just like the Shumards we have here. Woke up a little after the red oak did, but that might just be whips versus a tree that I’ve had in the ground 7 years and which was probably 3-4 years old when I planted it.

When they get enough growth to show off some foliage, I’ll snap some pics. I’m hoping they adapt well, since they look quite pretty and are very strong in KY-TN area where they’re from.