Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - March 04, 2009
From: Goodrich, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildlife Gardens, Trees
Title: Fertilizing oaks to produce more acorns
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What type of fertilizer would I use on oak trees to possibly increase growth and acorn production ? I have some flooded oak timber that is home to migrating ducks but there is little for them to eat.ANSWER:
There is a great deal of controversy about whether fertilizing oak trees influences their ability to produce more acorns. Indeed, there are some sources (e.g., Whitetail Stewards Inc.) that say not to waste your time and money fertilizing oaks since there are so many factors that can affect the amount of oak mast produced in any year—rainfall, genetics, general humidity, timing of late frosts, pest infestations, etc. Additionally, the production of large crops of acorns tends to be cyclic. Producing a heavy crop of acorns one year usually results in several years with a lower production. For red oaks this can be a 5-7 year cycle and for white oaks it may be a 3-5 year cycle. For a thorough discussion of the unpredictability of acorn crops see Improving acorn production - Part I: Factors affecting acorn production of oaks from Whitetail Stewards, Inc.
Most professionals seem to agree on at least one strategy for improving the amount of oak mast—that is to insure that the oaks that appear to be the best producers are not crowded. Trees around these high yield trees may need to be thinned so that they are not competing for sunlight and water. Outdoor Life has an informative article, Mast Production--In a Nutshell, that gives a short lesson in oak biology and how to manage them. The U.S. Forest Service North Central Forest Experiment Station has recommendations on How to Manage Oak Forests for Acorn Production.
If you still think you would like to fertilize your oaks, it certainly is not likely to harm them. What kind of fertilizer should you use? You can see in the answer to a previous question about fertilizing oaks, that recommendations from professional landscapers varies. Some say use a 'standard' fertilizer, while others recommend a 8-2-4 compost-based or a 5-10-5 mixture. (The numbers refer to percentages of nitrogen, phosporus, and potassium.)
In your flooded oak timber you could add other plants that could provide additional food for your migrating ducks. Here are some wetland plants that are used by ducks and other waterfowl for food and cover:
Grass/grasslike
Eleocharis montevidensis (sand spikerush), Scirpus cyperinus (woolgrass), Schoenoplectus robustus (sturdy bulrush)
Other aquatic or wetland plants
Duckweeds such as Lemna minor (common duckweed), Potamogeton nodosus (longleaf pondweed), Sagittaria graminea (grassy arrowhead), Pontederia cordata (pickerelweed)
You can find others in "Aquatic and Wetland Plants of the Western Gulf Coast" by Charles D. Stutzenbaker.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Root ball disintegrating on Arroyo sweetwood from Dripping Springs TX
May 11, 2013 - I just purchased a arroyo sweetwood in a 5 gallon container and when I went to put it in the ground the root ball completely fell apart. I put it in the ground and watered it really good. What are its...
view the full question and answer
Native magnolias in MD
March 16, 2011 - We live in Chevy Chase MD. Three tulip magnolias planted three years ago as part of a hedge died during the blizzard conditions we experienced the winter following their planting. This year as well w...
view the full question and answer
Bark damage to Tulip Tree
August 10, 2006 - I have a tulip tree planted. It is about 9-10 years old. Two years ago the tree looked as though the trunk was cracked. Maybe hit by lightning after a storm. This year the bark on the side of tree...
view the full question and answer
Rhododendrons for afternoon sun
September 10, 2008 - Thanks for your suggestion that I plant rhodedenrons in my Brooklyn garden. In fact, the only bushes I've planted in the past that have survived are rhodedenrons so your definitely right! Here's my...
view the full question and answer
Bulging trunks on post oak
August 05, 2011 - I have a huge post oak with a codominant trunk that is bulging between the two main trunks. The bulging is causing the trunks to spread apart, so one of the trunks is getting much too close to the ho...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |