Content
- How big are oaks?
- Oak trees grow slowly
- When planting oaks take into account later size
- Old oak trees are difficult to transplant
- Tips & Tricks
How big are oaks?
Oaks tend to be small compared to other trees that reach old age. More than 35 meters, sometimes only a few meters more, they rarely reach. For this they develop a thick trunk and a spreading, distinctive treetop.
Oak trees grow slowly
Oak trees take a long time to grow into a stately tree. On average, they only increase in height between 40 millimeters and 70 millimeters per year.
The size of an oak depends on how deep the tap root can penetrate into the soil. The location also plays a role. Oak trees need more light than, for example, beech trees.
Disease, pest infestation and poor environmental conditions limit the growth of the oak. In unfavorable conditions it will not be as big as other specimens.
When planting oaks take into account later size
If you plan to plant an oak tree in the garden, you should consider the later dimensions.
The crown initially develops much faster in width than the trunk. If it is initially appreciated as a shadow donor, but in later years, this can lead to problems with neighbors or in their own garden.
Old oak trees are difficult to transplant
Due to their size and the deep-reaching taproot, oak trees older than a few years can hardly be transplanted without destroying them.
From the beginning, look for a location for your oak that will not be a problem for later size.
Tips & Tricks
The thickest oak in Germany is the Kattholzeiche, which can be found on the estate Perdöl in the Schleswig-Holstein community Belau. Their trunk circumference in the year 2019 was 12.84 meters, measured in one meter height. Your age is estimated to be 450 years maximum.