How does oak care for us?
Oak is beloved in all the cultures in which they live. They is tall, powerful, enduring, revered. Their acorns are a symbol of hope and possibility. Their leaves are a symbol of justice and victory on flags and shields. They are known as the king of the forest thanks to being one of the longest lived species in the forest, sometimes living up to a thousand years. Many witness trees are oaks; they have seen things we cannot imagine and know the history of our countries and homes. They have been around for eons; oak pollen was found in fossil records for 55 million years ago. Often the tallest being in the forest, they can be seen from far away and help guide you home. Their wood is dense and durable and has been used throughout history in boats, buildings and so much more. They are called a keystone species for how central they are to their ecosystem. In a generous multispecies collaboration, they create galls to offer a home to a wasp. These galls have been used since medieval times to make a black ink found in bibles and historic texts all over the world.
How to care for oak?
Water: Let oaks thrive on rain water. Newly planted oaks should be well watered once a week in the growing season.
Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch mulch ring (away from the trunk) to retain moisture and protect roots from mowers
Prune: Cut off dead, broken, or crossing branches in late winter before new spring buds appear.
Light: Oak likes lots of direct full sun ideally 6-8 hours a day.
Soil: Oaks are hardy but they do prefer well drained loamy soil.