There are many oak trees in the United States. There are also many varieties of oaks, including white, red, live and pin oaks. Perhaps their heavy presence across miles and miles of the American landscape over hundreds of years is one of the reasons it is considered the national tree.
So, what exactly are some of the advantages of oaks that make it so noteworthy?
First, as already mentioned, they are common across a large portion of American terrain and have been for many years. They are quite a longstanding species of tree, capable of living up to 200 years old.
Second, they are quite hardy. Their existence across such a wide expanse of country, with all the varying regional elements, such as temperatures, precipitation and other relative conditions, clearly speaks to this.
Third, oaks are durable. In fact, wood that is harvested from oak trees is often used in things like hardwood floors and furniture. Given proper care, of course, this makes flooring and furniture projects made using oak able to withstand the passage of time. Compared to other woods frequently used for such projects, like cherry, oak is considerably less expensive, too.
But the durability of oak extends beyond its uses as lumber. Oak trees are not only durable, but are generally also quite expansive. With some careful strategic planning, the overall stature of oak trees makes for a great way to provide comfortable shade during hot summer days or sheltering windbreaks during colder, windier weather. An Austin arborist can help you plan a beautiful, well-maintained but equally effective landscape using any variety of oak you desire to plant. Because of their stature, however, it is always worthy of securing the services of an Austin tree trimming professional for the trimming or pruning of oak trees.
Fourth, oak trees bear fruit in the form of acorns, the production of which is quite ecologically friendly. Many species of animals, including squirrels, deer and bear, feed on the acorns produced by oaks. Because acorns drop from the trees during the fall months, this makes them an especially fortuitous find for the critters foraging the ground or forest floor to store up before winter’s cold sets in or hibernation begins.
Of all the trees that you could choose to plant on your landscape, oak trees are a wonderful addition. If you’re considering adding one or more to your landscape, consult the expertise of an Austin tree care specialist with any questions you may have regarding how well oaks may grow on your landscape’s soil, within your average seasonal temperatures and levels of precipitation, how to care for them as they grow and any advantages or (rarely) disadvantages associated with growing them.
About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading provider of Austin tree service in Central Texas. Certified ISA Austin arborist services including: tree trimming, tree removal, tree care and oak wilt treatment. For more information on Austin tree service, please visit https://centraltexastr.wpengine.com.
