Jamie Hancock: Oak trees can flourish in Kansas

Posted: November 9, 2012 - 5:16pm

The oak said to the reed that grew by the river: “It is no wonder that you make such a sorrowful moaning, for you are so weak that the little wren is a burden for you, and the lightest breeze must seem like a storm wind. Now look at me! No storm has ever been able to bow my head. You will be much safer if you grow close to my side so that I may shelter you from the wind that is now playing with my leaves.”

“Do not worry about me,” said the reed, “I have less reason to fear the wind than you have. I bow myself, but I never break. He who laughs last, laughs best!”

That night there came a fearful hurricane. The oak stood erect. The reed bowed itself before the blast. The wind grew more furious, and, uprooting the proud oak, flung it on the ground.

When the morning came there stood the slender reed, glittering with dewdrops and softly swaying in the breeze.

We have recently seen what hurricanes can do to mighty oaks, yet they remain the tree of choice for most people. Oak trees have stood in town squares as symbols of strength and have provided shade for town meetings, political rallies and town hangings. Live oaks in the south have lived through hundreds of years making you wonder what they would say if they could talk. How many a girl had her first kiss or heard her first proposal of marriage beneath a spreading oak? How many a young man camped under a fall-colored oak on his first hunting trip? Oaks are majestic, stately trees that greatly enhance and bless our world.

There are more than 600 species of oaks worldwide. Some are deciduous, and others are evergreen. Two of the most famous evergreen varieties are live oak and sand live oak. Unfortunately they won’t grow well in our Kansas climate. But we have several wonderful oaks that do.


A common oak in our area is the pin oak (Quercus palustris). Young pin oaks are easily recognizable with their Christmas tree shape. They spread out with age (like most of us). They retain their dry, brown leaves through the winter dropping them when new leaves push out in the spring. Their biggest problem is poor iron uptake. The leaves turn yellow, and the veins remain green — a treatable condition.

Quercus aacutissima, or Sawtooth oak, is native to Korea, China and Japan. The leaves have a sawtooth edge, and they are deep green in spring, turn brown in fall and remain on the tree most of the winter. Shorter than most oaks, it grows from 35 feet to more than 40 feet. It is widely adapted to a variety of soil types and moisture conditions.

Quercus macrocarpa, or bur oak, is native to the eastern two-thirds of Kansas. It is one of the most widely distributed deciduous hardwood trees in Kansas. It will grow from 50 feet to 80 feet tall and spread from 40 to 60 feet. It is generally thought to be slow growing, but in fertile soil with adequate moisture and after a couple years to establish roots, it can grow 2 to 3 feet a year. The bur oak is very hearty and disease-resistant.

Quercus alba, or white oak, can live up to 600 years. Growing from 60 to 80 feet tall, it will spread 40 to 60 feet. White oaks grow wild in Kansas bottom lands and dry woods. They like moist, well drained soil on the acidic side. They enjoy full sun or part shade.

Quercus robur, or English oak, is native to Europe and is a part of the white oak family. They will grow to a height and width of 30 to 40 feet. English oaks will grow anywhere in Kansas but are particularly suited to do well in western Kansas. They are extremely drought-tolerant, and their leaves will maintain their dark green appearance despite relatively high pH levels. This is a quick growing tree at 12 to 18 inches per year even in dry conditions.

Quercus shumardii, or Shumard oak, is native to eastern Kansas and a member of the red oak family. It is found along river bottom land and rocky hillsides next to streams. It tolerates fair to poor soils very well and therefore has become a popular city tree. It is a rapid grower and will reach heights of 60 to 80 feet with a spread of about 50 feet. The Shumard oak is much more tolerant of marginal sites than the red oak.

Quercus muehlenbergii, or chinkapin oak, is native to the eastern United States and into central Kansas. It likes limestone soils and rocky riverbanks. It grows best in medium acid to moderately alkaline, well drained soils. Its irregular shape has a low spreading crown and branches. It will grow from 30 to 60 feet tall and spread 20 to 40 feet.

Each of these oaks produces acorns and are good habitats for wildlife.

Planting an oak is like planting a legacy. Choose the right place where it can live for generations, and it will bless people for years to come.

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