How to Grow Oak Trees with Seeds

Monitor plant growth. Different sources give different instructions on the next step. Some sources suggest that seedlings should be planted straight into the ground after a week of potting ^[6] , however, there are documents that suggest gradually increasing the time the plants are exposed to the outside weather before planting down to the ground. ^[7] Some sources also suggest that the plant should be moved to a larger pot to make it bigger and then planted in the ground. There is no such thing as the right way. The quality of the new tree is what determines which way you should go. Here are the criteria for selecting qualified plants for transplanting:

• Plant about 10-15 cm tall with small leaves.
• Has white roots, looks healthy.
• The tree is too big to grow in a pot
• The roots have grown considerably
• The tree is a few weeks or months old

Choose the soil for planting. The location of the tree is an important factor – choose a suitable place for the oak tree to grow and not interfere as the tree gets bigger. Once you have chosen the right piece of land, you should consider the following factors:

• Bright enough. Like all light-loving plants, oak trees also need light to survive. So don’t plant it in the shade.
• Location near sidewalks, underground water lines or water pipes. Planting a tree in this location will help you avoid having to cut down the tree if there is work to do in the yard.
• Shade as the plant matures. If you want to plant a shade tree, plant it on the West or Southwest side of the house to maximize the plant’s benefits in summer and reduce shade in winter. ^[8]
  • Note – If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, it is advisable to plant the tree in the West or Northwest of the house for the best effect.
• Keep a distance from other plants. Plants often compete for light, water, and nutrients. Do not plant oak trees close to other trees. This will hinder the growth of the plant.

Clean up the planting area. Once you have chosen a favorable place to plant trees, clear all small trees within 9 meters around the land. Use a shovel to shovel down to about 25 cm to remove all the grass and large bushes. ^[9] If the soil is not moist enough, you need to add more water to the soil or wait until it rains to plant.

Dig a planting hole. In the center of the 9 m circumference circle that you just cleared, dig a hole about 60 – 90 cm deep, 30 cm wide. The depth of the hole depends on the length of the roots so that they are deep enough to bury the roots.

Transfer seedlings. Gently place the plant in the dug hole so that the roots are facing down and the leaves are up. Make sure the hole is deep enough to cover the roots. Fill with soil around the base of the tree and press down gently. Water the plants after planting.

• Fill with soil around the base of the tree. Backfill the soil so that the soil gradually slopes from the base to the outside, avoiding standing water at the base of the tree, causing the plant to become waterlogged.
• Spread a layer of humus or chopped bark around the base (3 meters in diameter) to keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from growing. Avoid mulching that touches the leaves of the shoots.
• To increase the viability of the plant, you should plant many seeds in one hole. If you do it this way and want to plant the seeds directly into the ground, you need to clear an area 60 cm x 60 cm wide, bury two acorns and cover with a layer of soil about 2.5 – 5 cm thick.

Protect saplings. Oak trees, especially young oaks, are very fragile and are also the food of leaf-eating animals. Oak nuts are a favorite food for squirrels and mice, which are very good at digging. The tiny sprouts are also vulnerable to rabbits, deer, and other leaf-eating animals. To ensure that young oak trees do not become food for animals, take measures to protect the tree. You can use a trellis or plastic fence around the base of the tree to keep animals out.

• If you live in an area with a lot of deer, you’ll need to fence off the tops of the trees as well.
• You should use insecticides to avoid insects including aphids and bugs. Be cautious when choosing pesticides, it is best to choose only those that do not affect the tree as well as the health of your family.

Water the plants when the weather is dry. The roots of oak trees are quite deep and help the tree to absorb groundwater even when the top soil has dried out. Even during the winter and wet months, you don’t need to water as often. However, when the tree is young, hot and dry weather can also kill the tree. A drip irrigation system is an effective method of watering young oak trees when they need water. You should water your plants about 38 liters of water for a week or two using a drip irrigation system. You should water your plants during the hottest and driest months of the first two years and gradually reduce the frequency as the plants get older.

• Remember not to let water stand under the tree. ^[10] Design the irrigation system so that water drips around the tree rather than flowing directly to the base, which will cause root rot.