Full Guide On How To Grow An Oak Tree From Seeds

Oak trees are popular in cool temperate and tropical regions. It often grows in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and North Africa. Humans have used oak wood, bark, leaves, acorns, and nuts for different purposes, including treating diseases. Therefore, you should have one or two oak trees in your garden. Let’s learn how to grow an oak tree from seed here. 

Full Guide On How To Grow An Oak Tree From Seeds

I. Oak Profile & Environment

The oak tree, or Quercus alba, develops well in humus-rich and well-drained soils. In addition, this deciduous plant needs full sun to grow big and strong. It often takes 20 years for an oak tree to mature and produce acorns and nuts. 

Oak is one of the best trees for ecosystems and the atmosphere. But it’s not an easy plant to grow in your garden. Gardeners should be aware of the growing conditions, the issue of diseases, crucial steps to germinate and grow, and must-know tips to take care of the tree.  

II. Guide On How To Grow An Oak Tree From Seed

Oak seeds, also known as acorns, have grown into trees in the wilderness for millennia. You ought to have a similar environment and the same climate conditions as the growing areas of this tree. Let’s see how to grow an oak tree from seed correctly below. 

2.1. Preparation for germination

Gardeners must have enough materials and tools to grow an oak tree. Then, they must create the proper environmental conditions for acorns to sprout. The following supplies must be ready first.

• Healthy fresh mature oak seeds;
• New or reused double-sheet paper towels (1-6 pieces);
• A container like a plastic food bag;
• Labels/marks.

Select pest-free and mature seeds for germination to avoid failure. It also prevents the problem of diseases for seedlings and trees. 

2.2. How to start seeds

When supplies are available, you can start seeding indoors. Follow these steps to start oak seeds correctly and achieve the highest germination rate.

1. Label the container with oak variety and date of germination.
2. Make the paper towels wet but not soggy. Squeeze to remove excess water.
3. Spread acorns on a wet paper towel and cover the seeds with another towel. Make sure that you have given these oak nuts enough space to sprout. Then, their roots will not get tangled and broken. 
4. Gently put the towels into the container/food bag. Keep the container/bag open for the seeds to get oxygen. Place the bag in the fridge. Check the seeds every other day and maintain moisture for the towel. You have to operate gently to avoid damaging the taproot. 
5. Take oak seeds out of the bag and plant them when the roots are 1-2 inches long. 

The best time to grow an oak tree is in the autumn or mild winter and early spring. Therefore, you need to select the right time to start seeds. White oak acorns often sprout after a week. But red oak nuts need a few weeks or months to develop roots.  

2.3. How to grow an oak tree from sprouted seed

When the roots of the seed are long enough, you can grow it in a pot or directly in the garden. You had better plant the sprouted seed in a pot. Then, transfer the young tree to the ground when it’s about a foot tall. Let’s see what you need to prepare.

• Mixed soil;
• A pot sizing 1-foot depth x 1-foot width with drainage holes;
• Sprouted acorns with about 2-inch long roots. 

Then, follow these tips to grow the oak seed correctly. 

1. Add soil to the planting pot and leave 1-2 inches left to the top.
2. Dig a 1-inch deep hole in the soil.
3. Place the sprouted acorn into the hole with the root downwards. 
4. Gently cover the seed with an inch of moist soil. 
5. Press the soil gently and add moisture if needed.
6. Wait until the seedling is about 1 foot tall. Then, transfer it to the garden carefully. Avoid damaging the roots in this process. 

2.4. How fast to oak trees grow from seed

The oak tree needs 20 years to become mature. It grows 2 - 3 feet per year. Most oak species produce acorns after 20 to 30 years. Pin Oak gives nuts the earliest among all oak species. The fastest-growing species include Pin, Northern Red, Scarlet, and Overcup oaks. 

III. How To Take Care Of Oak Trees

Oak trees may have some health issues and die suddenly. Therefore, you should know how to look after the tree to keep it alive and healthy for hundreds of years. Let’s see the most important things to do for your oak trees.

3.1. Watering

Young oak trees need moist soil to grow well. You must keep the soil moist but not sogged. The mature oak tree needs watering only once a month. You do not need to water the mature tree in the winter. Busy gardeners can build a drip system to water the tree gradually and slowly. 

3.2. Fertilizing

You ought to keep the soil fertile for young oak trees to develop. Provide a good amount of manure consisting of phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, or nitrogen-based fertilizer to keep the tree healthy. Do not remove leaves falling off deciduous oak trees. It’s a great source of compost for trees. 

3.3. Inspection & Pruning

Gardeners must inspect oak trees to detect pests and diseases on time. Then, use proper measures to prevent insects and illnesses from damaging the tree. Some symptoms of infected trees include discolored patches or loose bark. 

Firstly, you need to remove the infected branches to stop the issue from spreading and damaging the whole tree. Then, use the proper remedy for each problem. 

The oak tree does not need regular pruning. You only prune to remove infected branches and control the size and shape of the canopy.  

IV. Conclusion

In short, you can start germinating oak nuts after learning how to grow an oak tree from seed this autumn. It takes this plant a long time to become mature and produce nuts. Buy oak seeds from The Rike while waiting for your oak tree to produce nuts. Young oak trees need more care. But mature trees also need watering, fertilizing, and pruning in particular conditions. Provide proper remedies when the tree gets infected.