The Mighty Oak
While oak trees are commonly revered as a symbol of wisdom, strength and endurance, they have an infinitely greater ecological importance. The oak tree is the single most important plant for wildlife, providing food, shelter, cover and nesting sites for a wide range of animals.
The most prominent food source is the acorn, which feeds over 100 animals including deer, squirrels, fox, turkeys and other birds, as well as insects and invertebrates. Many of these animals and insects also feed on the leaves and young saplings. A single oak tree can host over 500 different caterpillars. These insects, in turn, attract additional birds, reptiles, frogs and mammals. The multilayered branches provide sheltered perches and hollowed out areas make perfect nesting sites for squirrels and birds.
New England oaks thrived in the early 1900s as farming communities moved westward and untended open space gave way to successional forests. Now in their golden years, the number of oaks is rapidly declining. Denser forest canopies shade out oak saplings, giving way to maples and birches. Expanding deer populations decimate the saplings that do succeed. Gypsy moth and winter moth infestations strip foliage and stress trees, increasing susceptibility to diseases like Sudden Oak Death. And, of course, land development continues to infringe on oak habitats.
What can we do?
Plant a tree! There are many species of oak native to New England that would love to find their way into your back yard. Oaks are divided into the red oak family and white oak family. The white oak acorns are preferred by wildlife and are consumer more rapidly than the red oak acorns, which are higher in tannins. However, these red oak acorns are important in late winter when few other food sources remain.
White Oaks: The White Oak and Swamp White Oak are generally easily sourced from nurseries. The Burr, Chinquapin and Chestnut Oaks may be slightly harder to find but are also excellent choices.
Red Oaks: The Northern Red Oak and Pin Oak are commonly available, while Black, Scarlet and Willow Oaks may need to be specially ordered. The Willow Oak has a unique narrow leaf, similar to willows and its southern cousin, the Live Oak.
Most oaks need sunlight and room to spread (both up and out) but there are a few options for smaller yards. Although not native to the United States, cultivars of the English Oak are available in columnar forms more suitable to small yards or areas where shade needs to be limited.
There is an oak tree for almost every soil condition, so talk to the experts at TM Landscaping or your local garden center to find the right option, and get planting this spring!