Oak Tree Question???

[paposse48]

I frequent an area in the pines z23 that has a few large white oak trees. Fairly far off the beaten path. Should be a slam dunk right? Problem is they have produced very few acorns or any at all some years. The trees appear to be in good condition, but I am no tree expert. Anyone have any ideas on something that can possibly be done to help them along?? Fertilizer? ETC.... dont want to hump in bags of Fertilizer or anything if its not worth it.

[Russ 11]

You can definitely help the tree with fertilizer . You can use 13-13-13 fert in the spring or if it’s a long hike in you could get the fertilizer spikes you hammer in the ground .  No guarantees it’s going to work and it may take several years to get things going .  Some good info online , check it out . Could turn into a honey hole . 

[JHbowhunter]

Whites are very fickle. I find that the younger ones and very old giant ones are least consistent. The middle age trees do better but usually every 5 years at best for me.  

[Lphunsjr]

Anyone have a pic of the oak tree leaves the deer like best?

[Haskell_Hunter]

3 minutes ago, Lphunsjr said:

Anyone have a pic of the oak tree leaves the deer like best?

https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/white_oak.html

[Swamprat]

I hunt some areas in 23 as well.  Some years the oaks produce and some years they don't.  I have one area they are barren this year but a few hundred yards away the acorns are raining down.  

[Bucksnbows]

Quercus Alba, the white oak, is not a year after year consistent producer.  But given that it’s acorns have far less tannic acid in them, they are eaten first by our deer. Once they are eaten or sprout, the deer switch to other acorns such as red oaks. Red oak acorns have higher tannins which allows them to not rot until spring when they sprout. White oaks sprout between now and first heavy frosts. 
 

You can add fertilizer in spring, but don’t expect miracles. I manage the few I have in Sparta by doing crown releases which simply means killing (by either girdling or outright cutting them down) the trees next to the white oaks to allow them more room to grow a large crown. But warning: the trees will spend five or more years growing more branches and not producing acorns. So crown release is more of a long term strategy versus things like fertilizer. 

[bucky]

25 minutes ago, Haskell_Hunter said:

https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/white_oak.html

Pin oak is a close second favorite to the white

Edited October 10, 2021 by bucky

[Russ 11]

White oaks produce best with age 50- 100 years old . Can produce earlier with ideal conditions . My sister has a white oak in her front yard that produces almost every year . The only reason I can think of is because of fertilizing the lawn several times a year .   The tree has no competition with other trees like a white oak in a forrest situation would also .  

[Bucksnbows]

2 minutes ago, bucky said:

Pin oak is a close second to the white

Pin oaks are in the red oak family. Deer eat all acorns, but prefer white oak when they can find them. 

[hammer4reel]

5 minutes ago, Bucksnbows said:

Pin oaks are in the red oak family. Deer eat all acorns, but prefer white oak when they can find them. 

True for the most part .

but I def have pin oaks that draw deer as fast or  faster than the local whites ..

 

 

[Swamprat]

Deer will walk right past corn piles to eat white oak acorns,  I've seen it.  Lol. 

Edited October 10, 2021 by Swamprat

[Rusty]

3 hours ago, Lphunsjr said:

Anyone have a pic of the oak tree leaves the deer like best?

Which month?   
 

October and December are completely different oaks.   

[Rusty]

But that’s a lesson for a different day.   

[formakos]

How about willow oak acorns??  Do deer like them???