Oaks and Mast Orchards

Oaks and Mast Orchards

You finally decided to do it. Your food plots are doing well, and you're ready to expand the type and timing of nutrition for wildlife by adding acorns to the menu. It's a great idea because studies have shown that deer prefer acorns over just about all other natural food. However, oaks come in a wide variety, and it would behoove you to research before buying your stock.

White oaks tend to drop acorns early in the season and over a relatively short period, making them a good option for early bow season mast orchards.

Red or White?

Let's start with the two major groups: red and white. There is one significant difference between red oaks and white oaks. Red oak acorns take 2 years to mature and drop, only under favorable conditions. A good crop one year means you'll have to wait at least two years for another one. However, one poor growth year could translate to at least 3 years of poor production. White oaks can produce acorns yearly, but only if conditions are optimal. They often alternate between years of good, bad, and sometimes no production, producing bumper crops only every 4 years, on average. But the difference doesn't stop there.

Few, if any, natural foods can compete with acorns when it comes to attracting deer.

Other Species

Within those two major groups are a variety of different species, each with different growth and production characteristics. Some, like white oaks (Quercus alba), drop most of their acorns early and over a relatively short time span. Others, like red oaks (Quercus rubra), drop nuts over a longer time span. And other species do everything in between.

You gotta love it when the oak leaves turn red in the fall.

Quick Starters

Some varieties, like sawtooth oak (Quercus accutissima), also begin producing at an early age (6-plus years), making them very popular with mast orchardists. Others, like pin oak (Quercus palustris) may take up to 20 years to produce acorns. Still, as their scientific name implies, they don't mind getting their feet wet and might be a better option for seasonally flooded or saturated soils. Some species, like scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia), may never get big but produce early and consistently. And they prefer dry, sandy soils. Some recent research suggests that even when growth conditions are good and crops are consistent, deer seem to like the acorns of certain varieties.

You'll have to be patient when planting oaks, as some varieties take a long time to start producing.

Start with the Soil

Before you buy nursery stock, assess your property. Evaluate the soil type, soil moisture, and microclimate in areas where you plan to plant. Avoid low-lying areas where cold air can get trapped and late spring frosts can damage blossoms. Check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to ensure selected species are adapted to the macroclimate.

USDA Plant Hardiness Plant Zone Map Link: http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

Once you've narrowed the list down, stop. Planting a variety rather than a single species is better for the above reasons. Some will drop early in the season, others late. A variety also ensures that some will produce when climatic conditions suppress others. Now, get to work.

 

 

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