Which oaks are best for what? Your opinion

Chipdasqrrl

Chipdasqrrl

Active Member
I'm currently weighing my options on what oaks to plant, and it would really help if you guys could answer some of these questions. I'm in zone 5.
Fastest grower?
Fastest to acorn production?
Most weight produced in acorns? (Per acre)
Most benefit to deer?
Highest survival chance/easiest to grow?
Most attractive to deer?
Latest dropping oaks?


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Sawtooths may not survive the winter in northern Michigan. Not many natives that produce quick and hold late. Maybe chinkapin??
 
Perhaps diversity is the answer?
Alpena area here. Zone 4/5 border.
Red oak is predominant with scattered white oak. Soil is sandy loam on high ground changing to clay in low areas.
When I started planting trees I wanted to improve deer attraction by planting white oak. Big mistake was to plant in a partially wooded area. Total failure due to lack of sun and deer predation. Now, I don't even bother to plant in a partially wooded area at all. Partially wooded is a relative term, so, I would consider 50% sun to be a viable location for planting.
Given that the predominant species here is red oak, I do not plant those unless I notice a tree producing acorns that are an exceptional draw for wildlife.
With full sun and sandy/loam (what was once a hayfield), I have planted these varieties -
White Oak
Bur
Burgamble Oak
English/ Bimundor Oak
Dwarf Chinkopin
Sawtooth (only one) - failed due to climate
In order from best to worst -
Fastest grower?
English/Bimundor
White
Burgamble
Dwarf Chinkopin
Fastest to Acorn?
Burgamble
Dwarf Chinkopin
English/Bimundor
Most weight production for acorn?
Burgamble
English/Bimundor
Dwarf Chinkopin
Most benefit to deer?
Burgamble
English/Bimunder
White
Dwarf Chinkopin
Highest survival easiest to grow?
English/Bimunder
White
Burgamble
Dwarf Chinkopin
Most attractive to deer?
Burgamble
English/Bimunder
Dwarf Chinkopin
White
Latest dropping?
White
English/Bimunder
Dwarf Chinkopin
Burgamble
Notes -
Red Oak is susceptible to Oak wilt in my area
Red Oak is susceptible to gypsy moth and other caterpillar predation where others are not
Forward looking statements - acorn production and drop times include future speculation. 8 to 9 year old English/Bimundor had tons of acorns this spring but did not pollinate.
Disclaimor - the above is just my opinion through experience and I do not proclaim to be an expert!! Still learning here...
 
Last edited:
Sounds like I stick to Burgamble for oaks. But I'd move more to soft mast and chestnuts if'n it were me. Too long to wait on acorns and sounds like you have some native ones. Been in Maine several times, but never northern Michigan, so I'm guessing here.
 
I have pear, apple, and chestnut with pears producing the quickest.. 4-5 years and they are easy to grow.
 
I wanted to plant sawtooths, but it sounds like they probably wouldn't survive.
I'll probably end up planting some burgamble and chinkapins. I also want to plant swamp white oaks, anyone have experience with them?
I'm also going to plant some chestnuts, but I have several acres that I want to plant and chestnuts would be too expensive.


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Grow your own chestnuts from seed. That's how I got every one of mine. Fun to do, too.

As for swamp whites, they are hard to beat. Grow as good on uplands as lowlands. Deer love them. Perhaps second only to chinkapin among the native oaks.
 
If you are set on them, or just want to try them, Coldstream nursery has sawtooth and they are located between Manistee and Ludington in northern Michigan. They are on the west side of the state near lake Michigan which could have a beneficial impact on climate. I have not ordered from them.
 
I planted about 30 sawtooth oaks in Antrim county, MI this summer. I'll let you know if they survive this winter

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TreeFan said:
If you are set on them, or just want to try them, Coldstream nursery has sawtooth and they are located between Manistee and Ludington in northern Michigan. They are on the west side of the state near lake Michigan which could have a beneficial impact on climate. I have not ordered from them.
Click to expand...

Perfect, that's not very far from me actually. I live in manistee county and I think the sawtooths would survive here by the lake, but the property is in Wexford where it can get significantly colder at times.


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Jason Broom said:
I planted about 30 sawtooth oaks in Antrim county, MI this summer. I'll let you know if they survive this winter

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Click to expand...

If they survive there, I think they would certainly survive for me too. If it gets down below -30 like it did a couple times a few years ago I don't think they stand a chance, but a winter like last winter I think they could survive.


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The tree that will produce best is the tree adapted to your soil and climate. I recommend Googling USDA and the name of the tree, to see if the trees grows in your area. For example, I googled USDA Swamp White Oak and found this:
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=QUBI
Then I clicked on "Characteristics" and found this:
https://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=QUBI
Match the tree to the location. In my location Chinkapin Oaks produce abundant acorns much faster than Sawtooth.
 
Check with your state nursery assuming you have one. They typically have availble trees that are indigenous for your area and history at a fairly cheap price. Ours begin taking orders now for spring delivery and are usually sold out by late winter their allotment.
The other thing to do is investigate the old growth forest history for your area. Most of the eastern half of the US has a forest much different than its original growth due to past and present logging practices, weather pattern changes, and lack of natural fire, all of which tend to promote a shade tolerant forest growth.
Variety in types and ages will give the best of habitat.
 
The oak that produces the fastest in your area is the Chinkapin Oak, Dwarf Chinkapin is that fastest producer, but big Chinkapin will become a stately tree and produce a large volume of sweet edible acorns during bow season. Bur Oak is in the White Oak family and produces acorns that drop in late season. Your trees should be purchased from northern nurseries, with state nurseries being the most economical.
 
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