Great question I’ll pin this comment for anyone to see and learn from. It’s best to plant the acorns on their sides. Unless there is already a radicle emerging then it’s best to plant it so that root is facing downward. I pull back dirt so the root can get positioned easily in the soil.
Back in 1974 we purchased some marginal farm land. We had a Black Walnut tree with a thirty-four inch diameter trunk. I made it a supply tree for new trees. In the fall I collected its walnuts and put them in a bucket and covered the top with screen wire. (Southern Illinois) Let the bucket sit by the shed all winter. In the spring the nuts sprouted, when the plants grew till it hit the wire cover I took them out and planted them in the pasture area putting guards around the new plants. Today there is a grove of (300) Black Walnuts trees that are ready for harvesting. Our eldest son has his retirement growing on the hill behind the house whenever he decides to retire. Planting seedlings is the way to grow a forest, in my estimation.
Good morning Melissa. Hope everyone is doing well. Looking forward to your next video anyday now 😉. Thanks and have a great day and please tell the family hello 👋
Dwarf chinkapin oaks are amazing. We’ve got 8 planted at the farm about 2 hours away. They just started producing last year and squirrels left us 2-4 a year. I’ve got 6 baby trees started from the original planting from 2018. My favorite thing about this is parent trees store information in their seed about growing environment and conditions to pass on to their offspring. This is important because the original trees struggled to establish. I’m expecting the subsequent offspring to really jump off when they’re planted. I’m so happy to see more people using air prune beds. A few years back it seemed like Shawn was the only one. Now there’s pockets of us everywhere.
That is awesome! I’m excited to have some. I bought 6 bare root that should be arriving soon. I agree with you! This is crazy you commented on this. Just last night I found your Substack and subscribed lol. I saw your post on the propagating native plants Facebook group.
Excellent video Levi. I learned quite a bit from you. Up here in Southern Ontario I have never ever seen all the acorns that we have this year. I hope its not a sign of a brutal winter? My wife and I went to visit my old neighborhood in Toronto and let my dog run around in our childhood park. We came upon a huge Chestnut tree and collected a bag full. I've been giving them to the squirrels in my backyard and they sure do take them. I was amazed at how big these chestnuts were. You need to level out a good piece of ground and start your own nursery. I can just see it now :) Have a blessed day my friend :)
Thanks so much. Very kind of you. It has been amazing. I hope to do a video on the mast year we are having soon and go into it a little more. Very interesting stuff. That’s great about the chestnuts. That is the goal! I hope to be able to grow it every year and have a full size nursery one day
Interesting, I liked the hickory video. You shared soo much info on that video. Anyway, I also enjoyed your explanations on this video comparing white and red oak germination processes and didn't know about the raised bed method or spacing. Very cool video and Thanks for sharing Levi!
Thanks Levi, very informative. I actually like when you (or your dad) just wanders around and talk about all kind of different things. Like at the end when you explained the float test. You mentioned earlier in the vid you were going to talk about it then at the end, something triggered you into remembering to talk about it. Great! Have a great day!
Thank you! I prefer to stick to a plan because if I don’t I ramble for 28 minutes like in this video 😂 but I at least try to make it helpful information
You are it again to me - filling me up with endless knowledge. Something came to mind as I listened came to me that was an influential aspect with mature Brachychitons (mostly Rupestris) here in Australia was the "Nursery effect". It's applicable to seedlings right through to mature trees and was a regular topic among Arborists. It's a point that many people seem to be able to relate to well and was noticeable in their decision-making. Not only that, but it was an influential aspect that often over-rode substantial cost factors in relation to specimen trees when following through as they brought that up particularly when a specimen jumped after being relocated as it confirmed to them that they had made a good decision.
I really enjoyed learning all of this info about acorns and oaks. As luck would have it, I’m headed out this evening to listen to a talk given by Professor Douglas Tallamy on his book “The Nature of Oaks.” So perfect timing seeing this video. I promise to watch your “Shagbark Hickory” video. :) Thanks for all your hard work!
Thanks for sharing with us Levi, this brought back so many memories of growing up in S E Ohio and all those oak trees we use to hunt and run around looking for acorns. Learned a lot on planting from you also. It was good seeing your future Foresters in Training. They do like being out there and working with you. Stay safe and keep up the good work, Fred.
Levi, Very nice discussion about acorns, propagation techniques, and yes, water testing for non viable ones. The best outcome for your new chicken house (much thanks for the lumber production that your dad provides). I just signed up for a subscription status. Looking forward to more fascinating videos from you. Yes! You are the local “Oak Man” Always thankful, Roy
Here in north Fl we have mostly hard woods plenty of white oak and water oak and the the acorns are plentiful . I really would like to plant a few chestnut and black walnut trees just to see if they will grow this far south . Really Enjoyed the video keep them coming thanks
Thanks Levi another great video an old trick i was told and it works i tried it with a few horse chestnuts was if you kept a few in your trousers pocket the body heat over awhile helps them to grow acorns are the same i tried it and i had a few horse chestnuts in my pocket all day and planted them late that night and watered them a few day's later they were sprouting that tip i got was from and old gardener
Good morning Levi. Hope you and your family are doing well. I would love to have some of those chestnut trees or nuts here. Do you have mullberry in your area? I recently discovered a young tree now about 8-10' on part of my property that i let go and nature took over. I've had a hard time determining whether its a black walnut or a white walnut? Butternut walnut or white walnut are pretty rare here due to disease nowadays. I may have to wait till next spring and summer to try and determine again. The leaves had already began changing when i discovered the tree. Hopefully next year it will be old enough to produce its first nuts and that will be the ultimate answer. Ill finish watching later, i need to get going. Thanks for sharing and tell the family hello please. Have a great day friend
Check Facebook marketplace in your area for chestnuts. At least in my area there are tons of sellers selling them. We do have some mulberry. Actually right beside my dad’s building and in the woodyard are a few mulberry trees but I believe they are the Korean mulberry not the native one. Still great tasting fruits. This year they were absolutely loaded with fruits. It was amazing. Yes we don’t have many butternut here either. Thanks for the comment!
I have white oak acorns out the wazoo this year. I contacted my local department of forestry to see if they wanted any. They have not responded at all. So apparently here in VA we have plenty of them with nothing to worry about needing to renew white oaks. If you want I can send you an abundance of acorns, as many as you want. Just let me know. Thanks
Wow! Not the case here. Last year we had a lot but not this year. I actually would take some white oak acorns from you! Can you send me an email at thaidupwiththemorgans@gmail.com
Hi Levi, we have a number of mature Black Walnut trees and this year we noticed several new ones have sprouted around the edges of our property. We have offered these babies to friends and relatives, but want to ensure we move them safely for their survival . Do you have any suggestions? Thanks - I enjoy your content.
That’s tough I understand. Maybe you could try offering them on Facebook marketplace? I’ve seen people do that near me when trees pop up in places they mow
Would you like so Texas Live oak? Broad limb structure, creating a huge shade umbrealla canopy. not know to get very tall - 40-50 at most but can spread over 100' wide and live for 100's of years.
This is what Water flow test reminds me.of. I do this all the time in the market. Are you really need. Is a A quart mason jar.. And six inches of water. If your eggs sink to the bottom and lie flat on their sides, they are very fresh. If your eggs stand on one end at the bottom, they are a few weeks old, but still fine to eat. If your eggs float to the surface, they are no longer fresh.
Do you also air prune the chinese chestnut or did I miss that part? If so, how do you keep them over winter? Straw or other bedding to protect them? From Iowa...
I do grow a lot of Chinese chestnut in air prune beds but overwinter them in the fridge. The next video I have is on shagbark hickory seeds but the same practice can be applied to chestnuts. I show how I store them in the fridge over winter. It’s the exact way I handle the chestnuts as well. Will be out in a couple of days
As always appreciate the knowledge. Any tips for transplant of, I’m guessing, wild white oak. I am working 30 acres, 10 acres with 80 to 100 foot short needle white pine. The under canopy is covered in small oaks 3’ to 20’. I’ve been told I can relocate oaks up to 8’ tall I’ve tried three (6’ish) and one magnolia all died. Trying to set up the oaks to replace the pines as I cut them down, also put oak on 10 acres of scrub brush I’m clearing. Any tips will be appreciated.
That’s tough. Oaks really don’t like to be transplanted. Only time you can get away with it is with one year seedlings after that the roots get so large. But that’s not to say it can’t be done I’m sure people have pulled it off. I just know oaks don’t handle that transplant well. Best of luck. Sorry I wasn’t much help
@@ThaidupwiththeMorgans all good, I will try again with smaller oak saplings/seedlings. I have lots of them, just been trying to save the larger ones, and mowing over the tiny ones. If I can ever find any acorns, I will try your air prune bed idea. Seems anything with trees is a long term project. Appreciate the response, looking forward to learning more as you pass on knowledge sir.
I do sell them and they will be available for sale probably by Halloween. Assuming it cools down and the trees go dormant by then. I will also plant some around the property
I don’t this year. But I will be growing some next year. Here are some great species you can grow in your area that are considered keystone species meaning they support the ecosystem best in that specific region. Black cherry, black willow, post oak, red maple, Carolina cherry Laurel, northern highbush blueberry, saltbush and sand laurel oak. Next year I’ll be growing black cherry, red maple and the high bush blueberry. The rest aren’t native to me but those 3 are
The oaks we find in the nursery are almost exclusively grafted oaks, slow growing varieties grafted onto fast growing rootstock, nobody wants to wait a decade or more for an oak to become a small 10/15’ tree in their lawn so the nursery trees are a good alternative that you shouldn’t overlook. Throwing an entire industry under the bus with the “Big Nursery” comment is cringe worthy 😅 I buy those “expensive”nursery trees at the end of season for $15/25 bucks each. The fact they are ball&burlap has never been an issue and in fact I’ve healed some into sawdust for a season and the root growth has doubled the size of the original ball.. What you’re doing with Acorns and the seedlings you get are producing trees your children will enjoy as older adults, but the real grand Oaks they could become will be two generations old..
Great sense of humor you have there on something that was clearly a joke but I’ll play along. Thanks for your comment, but calling my perspective “cringe” is pretty rich. If you think buying trees on clearance makes you an expert, think again. Bare root trees are often the smarter choice because they establish faster and don’t suffer from the transplant shock that B&B trees do. B&B trees lose over 95% of their root mass while bare root lose none of their root mass. This leads to B&B trees experiencing far more transplant shock than bare root. As for the tired old saying about planting acorns for your grandkids, it’s outdated. Oaks can grow faster than you think especially when planted in its permanent home as an acorn or a 1 year seedling and planting them is about creating something lasting and meaningful-not just instant gratification. So, while you’re busy patting yourself on the back for bargain hunting, I’ll be here planting for the future. Let’s agree to disagree on what really matters in growing trees.
How do you put the acorn in the ground which direction this is Bob from Vero Beach Florida God bless and I'm glad that you're doing this
Great question I’ll pin this comment for anyone to see and learn from. It’s best to plant the acorns on their sides. Unless there is already a radicle emerging then it’s best to plant it so that root is facing downward. I pull back dirt so the root can get positioned easily in the soil.
Back in 1974 we purchased some marginal farm land. We had a Black Walnut tree with a thirty-four inch diameter trunk. I made it a supply tree for new trees. In the fall I collected its walnuts and put them in a bucket and covered the top with screen wire. (Southern Illinois) Let the bucket sit by the shed all winter. In the spring the nuts sprouted, when the plants grew till it hit the wire cover I took them out and planted them in the pasture area putting guards around the new plants. Today there is a grove of (300) Black Walnuts trees that are ready for harvesting. Our eldest son has his retirement growing on the hill behind the house whenever he decides to retire. Planting seedlings is the way to grow a forest, in my estimation.
Wow! That is a great story! I agree with you. Very cool.
Great video Levi
You do great with your work with trees and you do good explaining it to us
Thank you
Good morning Melissa. Hope everyone is doing well. Looking forward to your next video anyday now 😉. Thanks and have a great day and please tell the family hello 👋
Thanks mom!
Absolutely informative content, never miss any of your posts, keep going. Been watching your dad since day one,so all info is a learning content.
Awesome, thank you so much!
Again, very interesting, and educational video! I really enjoy them, thank you!
Glad you like them! Thank you Larry!
Very interresting
Dwarf chinkapin oaks are amazing. We’ve got 8 planted at the farm about 2 hours away.
They just started producing last year and squirrels left us 2-4 a year. I’ve got 6 baby trees started from the original planting from 2018.
My favorite thing about this is parent trees store information in their seed about growing environment and conditions to pass on to their offspring. This is important because the original trees struggled to establish. I’m expecting the subsequent offspring to really jump off when they’re planted.
I’m so happy to see more people using air prune beds. A few years back it seemed like Shawn was the only one. Now there’s pockets of us everywhere.
That is awesome! I’m excited to have some. I bought 6 bare root that should be arriving soon. I agree with you! This is crazy you commented on this. Just last night I found your Substack and subscribed lol. I saw your post on the propagating native plants Facebook group.
very cool! You followed the Substack and I followed your UA-cam within 24 hours of each other. The right people are finding each other. 🙏
Excellent video Levi. I learned quite a bit from you. Up here in Southern Ontario I have never ever seen all the acorns that we have this year. I hope its not a sign of a brutal winter? My wife and I went to visit my old neighborhood in Toronto and let my dog run around in our childhood park. We came upon a huge Chestnut tree and collected a bag full. I've been giving them to the squirrels in my backyard and they sure do take them. I was amazed at how big these chestnuts were. You need to level out a good piece of ground and start your own nursery. I can just see it now :) Have a blessed day my friend :)
Thanks so much. Very kind of you. It has been amazing. I hope to do a video on the mast year we are having soon and go into it a little more. Very interesting stuff. That’s great about the chestnuts. That is the goal! I hope to be able to grow it every year and have a full size nursery one day
Interesting, I liked the hickory video. You shared soo much info on that video. Anyway, I also enjoyed your explanations on this video comparing white and red oak germination processes and didn't know about the raised bed method or spacing. Very cool video and Thanks for sharing Levi!
Thank you! I appreciate that and glad you enjoyed it.
Good morning!! Just catching this video…Great video!! Thanks for the knowledge
Keep up the great work Levi!!
Have a day 😊
Glad to hear that! Thanks a lot!
Interesting information
Thanks for sharing your passion 👍
Thank you for watching!
So much fantastic information here. Can’t wait to see the chicken coop build..!!! You are doing great don’t let those harder videos get you down.!!
Thanks so much! I’ll keep going!
You are doing a lot for conservation! Carry on and people will follow!
Thank you! I sure hope so
I hope you keep doing what your doing! Great attitude not letting number of views get you down...Thank you for doing what you do
I appreciate that! Thank you!
Great video very informative and enjoyable, keep them coming.
Thanks, will do!
Thanks Levi, very informative. I actually like when you (or your dad) just wanders around and talk about all kind of different things. Like at the end when you explained the float test. You mentioned earlier in the vid you were going to talk about it then at the end, something triggered you into remembering to talk about it. Great! Have a great day!
Thank you! I prefer to stick to a plan because if I don’t I ramble for 28 minutes like in this video 😂 but I at least try to make it helpful information
Professor Levi awesome video thank you. I have two wish I live closer and you had hands on lab for us elementary students
Thank you!
You are it again to me - filling me up with endless knowledge. Something came to mind as I listened came to me that was an influential aspect with mature Brachychitons (mostly Rupestris) here in Australia was the "Nursery effect". It's applicable to seedlings right through to mature trees and was a regular topic among Arborists. It's a point that many people seem to be able to relate to well and was noticeable in their decision-making. Not only that, but it was an influential aspect that often over-rode substantial cost factors in relation to specimen trees when following through as they brought that up particularly when a specimen jumped after being relocated as it confirmed to them that they had made a good decision.
Thank you for sharing this! I agree with you. That’s a great point you highlighted. Thank you!
Thanks for the information. Really appreciate you sharing your years of knowledge. Looks like you have some good helpers in your video today.
Glad to help! I sure do they are the best. Thanks a lot!
Great video with lots of valuable information. Please keep us informed as the trees grow. All the best from Greensboro NC.
Will do! Always trying new things. Plenty of trial and error going on here. Thanks!
I really enjoyed learning all of this info about acorns and oaks. As luck would have it, I’m headed out this evening to listen to a talk given by Professor Douglas Tallamy on his book “The Nature of Oaks.” So perfect timing seeing this video. I promise to watch your “Shagbark Hickory” video. :) Thanks for all your hard work!
Wow! I’m so jealous! That sounds amazing. He is so great. I’ve read all of his books. Thanks for watching and the kind words
Great video. Keep it up. Lots of helpful information!
Thanks, will do!
Another great video, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
Very very informative
Glad you think so!
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much Kerry!
i am trying to keep up with your videos because i find them interesting
Glad you like them! Thanks a lot!
Levi, i dare ya to plant a few handfuls of white oaks in the middle of the clearing
I’d love to 😂 that’s a great spot for some trees if you ask me lol
Thank you Sir for the information!
My pleasure! Thanks for watching
Thanks for sharing with us Levi, this brought back so many memories of growing up in S E Ohio and all those oak trees we use to hunt and run around looking for acorns. Learned a lot on planting from you also. It was good seeing your future Foresters in Training. They do like being out there and working with you. Stay safe and keep up the good work, Fred.
Thanks Fred! Always appreciate you. It’s a blast growing up and exploring and playing with acorns
GOOD JOB!
Thank you!
Also, milk crates work great for holding tree pots without them falling over.
Yes! I just got 25 of them a month or so ago for that reason
Levi, Very nice discussion about acorns, propagation techniques, and yes, water testing for non viable
ones. The best outcome for your new chicken house (much thanks for the lumber production that your
dad provides). I just signed up for a subscription status. Looking forward to more fascinating videos
from you. Yes! You are the local “Oak Man”
Always thankful, Roy
Thanks so much!
Here in north Fl we have mostly hard woods plenty of white oak and water oak and the the acorns are plentiful . I really would like to plant a few chestnut and black walnut trees just to see if they will grow this far south . Really Enjoyed the video keep them coming thanks
Thanks a lot John! Sounds like a nice area. You should try it
Great video
Thank you!
I like all the information that you give out.
Thank you!
You are a smart man and love what you do. Great vid!
I appreciate that!
Very interesting video Levi! Keep the video's coming.
More to come! Thanks so much
Nice video
Thank you!
Thanks Levi another great video an old trick i was told and it works i tried it with a few horse chestnuts was if you kept a few in your trousers pocket the body heat over awhile helps them to grow acorns are the same i tried it and i had a few horse chestnuts in my pocket all day and planted them late that night and watered them a few day's later they were sprouting that tip i got was from and old gardener
That’s a great tip! Thanks for sharing
@@ThaidupwiththeMorgans it's the heat
5 years ago, i planted 3 red oak acorns in a hole in a dozen different holes. they are about 5 feet tall now. In the UP MI.
That’s awesome! Nice job!
Great vid
Thank you!
I learned alot watching you
Thank you! Glad to hear it
Vraiment interresant, MERCI BEAUCOUP !!!
Thank you!
Great video Levi.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!
Good morning Levi. Hope you and your family are doing well. I would love to have some of those chestnut trees or nuts here.
Do you have mullberry in your area? I recently discovered a young tree now about 8-10' on part of my property that i let go and nature took over.
I've had a hard time determining whether its a black walnut or a white walnut? Butternut walnut or white walnut are pretty rare here due to disease nowadays. I may have to wait till next spring and summer to try and determine again. The leaves had already began changing when i discovered the tree. Hopefully next year it will be old enough to produce its first nuts and that will be the ultimate answer.
Ill finish watching later, i need to get going. Thanks for sharing and tell the family hello please. Have a great day friend
Check Facebook marketplace in your area for chestnuts. At least in my area there are tons of sellers selling them. We do have some mulberry. Actually right beside my dad’s building and in the woodyard are a few mulberry trees but I believe they are the Korean mulberry not the native one. Still great tasting fruits. This year they were absolutely loaded with fruits. It was amazing. Yes we don’t have many butternut here either. Thanks for the comment!
I hope you figure out what it is soon. Occasionally I come across a tree and can’t figure out what it is. Drives me crazy lol
Appreciate the info. I collected 6 gallons of red oak acorns this month. How would I store them over the winter?
Well done ! 😮
Thank you!
👍great video
Thanks 👍
@@ThaidupwiththeMorgans 😎
I have white oak acorns out the wazoo this year. I contacted my local department of forestry to see if they wanted any. They have not responded at all. So apparently here in VA we have plenty of them with nothing to worry about needing to renew white oaks. If you want I can send you an abundance of acorns, as many as you want. Just let me know. Thanks
Wow! Not the case here. Last year we had a lot but not this year. I actually would take some white oak acorns from you! Can you send me an email at thaidupwiththemorgans@gmail.com
Really good video, I want to plant chestnut,
You should! I’ll do a video on them soon
Hi Levi, we have a number of mature Black Walnut trees and this year we noticed several new ones have sprouted around the edges of our property. We have offered these babies to friends and relatives, but want to ensure we move them safely for their survival . Do you have any suggestions? Thanks - I enjoy your content.
That’s tough I understand. Maybe you could try offering them on Facebook marketplace? I’ve seen people do that near me when trees pop up in places they mow
Sorry we have a few takers already, i was just looking for your recommendations on how we move these without killing the tree. Thanks
Levi, will you sell some of those baby trees , or will you plant all of them at your properties?
I will be selling them in the next few weeks
Would you like so Texas Live oak? Broad limb structure, creating a huge shade umbrealla canopy. not know to get very tall - 40-50 at most but can spread over 100' wide and live for 100's of years.
I’ve seen them! I was in Texas last year. They are beautiful! Awesome trees. I don’t think they’d do well up here though.
This is what Water flow test reminds me.of. I do this all the time in the market. Are you really need. Is a
A quart mason jar.. And six inches of water.
If your eggs sink to the bottom and lie flat on their sides, they are very fresh. If your eggs stand on one end at the bottom, they are a few weeks old, but still fine to eat. If your eggs float to the surface, they are no longer fresh.
I didn’t know this about eggs. That’s very interesting. Thanks for sharing
Time to start marketing your white oaks. The distiller of Jack Daniels is sounding the alarm on shortage of new white oak for bourbon barrels
I saw that article! Crazy. Yes I agree it is time
Do you also air prune the chinese chestnut or did I miss that part? If so, how do you keep them over winter? Straw or other bedding to protect them? From Iowa...
I do grow a lot of Chinese chestnut in air prune beds but overwinter them in the fridge. The next video I have is on shagbark hickory seeds but the same practice can be applied to chestnuts. I show how I store them in the fridge over winter. It’s the exact way I handle the chestnuts as well. Will be out in a couple of days
As always appreciate the knowledge. Any tips for transplant of, I’m guessing, wild white oak. I am working 30 acres, 10 acres with 80 to 100 foot short needle white pine. The under canopy is covered in small oaks 3’ to 20’. I’ve been told I can relocate oaks up to 8’ tall I’ve tried three (6’ish) and one magnolia all died. Trying to set up the oaks to replace the pines as I cut them down, also put oak on 10 acres of scrub brush I’m clearing. Any tips will be appreciated.
That’s tough. Oaks really don’t like to be transplanted. Only time you can get away with it is with one year seedlings after that the roots get so large. But that’s not to say it can’t be done I’m sure people have pulled it off. I just know oaks don’t handle that transplant well. Best of luck. Sorry I wasn’t much help
@@ThaidupwiththeMorgans all good, I will try again with smaller oak saplings/seedlings. I have lots of them, just been trying to save the larger ones, and mowing over the tiny ones. If I can ever find any acorns, I will try your air prune bed idea. Seems anything with trees is a long term project. Appreciate the response, looking forward to learning more as you pass on knowledge sir.
How do you prepare to plant 400 - 1,500 seedlings? Where do you plant them? Or are you selling them?
I do sell them and they will be available for sale probably by Halloween. Assuming it cools down and the trees go dormant by then. I will also plant some around the property
Do you sell any of your trees or acorns?
Yes I sell trees. If interested you can email me at thaidupwiththemorgans@gmail.com
Do you sell the trees?
Would be interested
Yes I do. You can email me at thaidupwiththemorgans@gmail.com
Levi, what about fruit trees , ie: Apple, Pear,
Cherry, Peach, Plum
I am growing a few species this year. Pawpaw, and American Persimmon. Next year I’ll be doing those and some plum, and apple and some others
I found a solid black oak acorn first one that I seen can you give your opinion why is black and not brown?
Was it for sure a black oak? Shingle oak acorns are similar size but turn black rather than brown
@ Thank you sir you and your family have a blessed day 🙏🙏
do you have anything, that I can plant at my house, in Jacksonville, FL ???? zip code 32277 near the St. Johns river
I don’t this year. But I will be growing some next year. Here are some great species you can grow in your area that are considered keystone species meaning they support the ecosystem best in that specific region.
Black cherry, black willow, post oak, red maple, Carolina cherry Laurel, northern highbush blueberry, saltbush and sand laurel oak.
Next year I’ll be growing black cherry, red maple and the high bush blueberry. The rest aren’t native to me but those 3 are
The oaks we find in the nursery are almost exclusively grafted oaks, slow growing varieties grafted onto fast growing rootstock, nobody wants to wait a decade or more for an oak to become a small 10/15’ tree in their lawn so the nursery trees are a good alternative that you shouldn’t overlook. Throwing an entire industry under the bus with the “Big Nursery” comment is cringe worthy 😅 I buy those “expensive”nursery trees at the end of season for $15/25 bucks each. The fact they are ball&burlap has never been an issue and in fact I’ve healed some into sawdust for a season and the root growth has doubled the size of the original ball.. What you’re doing with Acorns and the seedlings you get are producing trees your children will enjoy as older adults, but the real grand Oaks they could become will be two generations old..
Great sense of humor you have there on something that was clearly a joke but I’ll play along. Thanks for your comment, but calling my perspective “cringe” is pretty rich. If you think buying trees on clearance makes you an expert, think again. Bare root trees are often the smarter choice because they establish faster and don’t suffer from the transplant shock that B&B trees do. B&B trees lose over 95% of their root mass while bare root lose none of their root mass. This leads to B&B trees experiencing far more transplant shock than bare root.
As for the tired old saying about planting acorns for your grandkids, it’s outdated. Oaks can grow faster than you think especially when planted in its permanent home as an acorn or a 1 year seedling and planting them is about creating something lasting and meaningful-not just instant gratification.
So, while you’re busy patting yourself on the back for bargain hunting, I’ll be here planting for the future. Let’s agree to disagree on what really matters in growing trees.
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