Re: Oak Tree question
schrader@beaches.net
Sat, 16 Nov 1996 04:00:46 -0600
You got the right idea. The form and growth rate will be heavily influenced by the amount and direction of the sunlight it is exposed to. Provide an area for growth that is larger than the expected mature size. Try to reist fertilization in the first year and then less but more often. Eliminating grass competition will speed growth processes considerably. Mulch as large as as area as possible 4" deep, but leave an air space at the base of tree all the way to the ground.
The framwork you allow to develope will have a strong influence on the trees life span. Short squatty trees are far less susceptible to wind stress and lightning damage.
An ideal form has a single trunk with well spaced limbs that project slightly upward, away from the mainstem and out into their own sunlight area. Objectively don't allow upper branches to shade lower limbs you want. Start your framework sufficiently high enouph so that light requirements for understory are adequate. Remove , headback and or redirect upper branches that threaten to block sunlight from limbs you want.
Each limb is solely responsible for its own food production, If it doesn't get sunlight on its leaves it will starve to death and die.
Healthy trees must continualy grow and become ever larger. The more stem cells they posses the more canopy they need to support them.
George Schrader SO-0448
AMERICAN TREE
1309 West 10th St.
Panama City, Fl. 32401-1901
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schrader@beaches.net