October is oak awareness month in Illinois. These venerable trees can live hundreds of years, and are perhaps the most critical tree in our forest ecosystem, supporting over 500 different species of plants, animals, arthropods & fungi.
Unfortunately, our oak population is in decline. Oaks made up 60% of Illinois forests when our trees were first surveyed in the 1830s. Today, they're down to 5%. Competition from invasive species, overpopulation of herbivores, and forest fragmentation all prevent new oak trees from establishing themselves.
There are two important ways that you can help:
1. Plant new oak trees
If you have the space at home, (or are involved in selecting trees for a business or nonprofit,) you can plant native oak cultivars that are large enough to survive, and protect them from damage early in their lives with a trunk guard. Here's a quick rundown of the types of oak we currently have available:
A Hoerr Nursery Tried and True Tree, the Swamp White Oak is a spreading, symmetrical tree with bicolor leaves that are shiny green above and gray green below. Widely adaptable, it will withstand both wet and moderate moisture. Growth rate is fast (for an oak.)
Native to parts of the southern United States, the Scarlet Oak lives up to its name with blazing red fall color. It's Less susceptible to chlorotic yellow leaves than many other oaks, but still prefers acidic soil. Drought tolerant once established, with a relatively fast growth rate.
An impressive native tree, found in the woodlands of every county in Illinois. The variety that we currently have in stock, 'Cobblestone,' was selected for its resistance to anthracnose and for the interesting, fissured bark that it develops at a young age. The acorns have unique fringed caps, giving the bur oak its name.
2. Remove Invasive Species
If you have a patch of oak woodlands in your area, you might have noticed invasive bush honeysuckle, particularly when it bears red berries in late fall/early winter. While attractive, the berries are rapidly spread by birds, disseminating the shrub to forest margins everywhere.
Invasive bush honeysuckle puts on growth earlier than other plants and it grows quickly, crowding out native understory plants, including young oak trees. They will regenerate from the ground if the branches are cut, necessitating an herbicide application for any plant that can't be removed from the roots. To minimize the amount of herbicide used, brush a woody stump killer across the fresh cut surface after you remove the branches.
Invasive biennial garlic mustard grows in wide swathes along woodland edges. In spring of it's second year, it stretches upward and bears small clusters of four-petaled white flowers, followed by seed pods in early summer.
A single plant allowed to go to seed can result in hundreds more. The colonies formed by this plant are large and dense, coming into leaf earlier than our native plants do. They also release chemicals into the soil that disrupt the beneficial network of mycorrhizal fungi that carries nutrients between trees and other plants.
On the plus side, garlic mustard is easy to pull out by the roots when the soil is damp, and the first year rosettes of leaves are edible- garlic mustard is here in the first place because it escaped cultivation as a pot herb. Just make certain that you've positively identified it before you make it into pesto! Also, don't try eating the second year plants, as they grow bitter and develop defensive toxins with age.
Every Tree Helps
Living for hundreds of years, every oak tree grows to support a complex ecosystem. Whether you nurture one oak tree or a hundred, you're making an enormous positive impact on the forests and urban forests of Illinois!
Upcoming Sales While Supplies Last!
Beginning 10/15
Houseplants - 30% off or prices as marked
Fall decor - 40% off*
*Excluding fresh grown items such as pumpkins, mums, autumn annuals and strawbales
Beginning 10/20
Mums and Autumn Annuals - 40% off
Need a Great Gift?
Give your friends and family a gift they'll love with a gift card from Hoerr Nursery. Available online or in store!
