Tree Talk: Oaks

"Mighty oaks from little acorns grow..." This 14th century English proverb inspires us never to give up, and to remember that great things do indeed come from small beginnings. While there are many species of oaks across the country, the only species native to North Dakota is bur oak, also known as Mossycup oak. Bur oak is easily identified by its distinctive leathery, tannin-filled leaves with rounded lobes and thick, corky bark. It is these adaptive features that have enabled oaks to endure drought and rapidly moving prairie fires over the years. Bur oak is the longest-living native tree in North Dakota, with growth ring studies (known as the science of dendrochronology) revealing trees that are 400 years old. Tree rings have stories to tell!

Back to the "fruit" of this tree, the fringed acorns are favored by squirrels, so there is little chance of acorns making a mess in your yard, as the critters are quick to harvest the nuts. The most extensive block of bur oak woodlands is located in the Pembina Hills, and is also found at White Horse Hill (formerly known as Sully's Hill) National Game Preserve near Devils Lake, the Killdeer Mountains, Cross Ranch Nature Preserve, Sheyenne National Grasslands and Turtle Mountains State Forest. In dry locations, oaks grow as scrubby forms but on favorable sites, established trees can grow one to two feet per year! The largest oak tree in North Dakota is more than 80 feet tall with a canopy spread of more than 60 feet. The hard wood has long been used for fine furniture, firewood and fence posts.

See 'Recommended Trees for North Dakota Communities' on the N.D. Forest Service website: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ndfs. Besides bur oak, there are English oak cultivars and Mongolian oak that can be planted in North Dakota. Stay away from pin oak, swamp white oak and species that simply cannot tolerate the alkaline soils found across the state. Such trees may survive, but they will not thrive.

Take a Look: See a bur oak tree planted this year as part of the grant project on the 500 block of 5th Ave North. Plant more oaks in New Rockford! This is an under-utilized species. With proper planting, mulching and watering, oaks can grow quickly – despite their reputation as a slow-growing tree. Cities like Bismarck and Fargo are planting oaks on wide city boulevards with much success.