North America is home to 70 oak species, particularly in Eastern states. Native oaks provide food, shelter, and safety to animals and humans. They benefit people and the ecosystem with their acorns, lush foliage, and deep roots. Property owners who want to plant native oaks can use them for landscaping and to attract wildlife. Partnering with a native tree nursery will help you choose and plant native oaks appropriate for your area.
Nuttall Oak – Quercus texana
The nuttall oak species is superb for planting in a variety of outdoor environments, from home gardens to urban streets. Its dark and thick trunk grows up to 80 feet tall and its dark green crown stretches up to 60 feet wide, casting shade on its surroundings and effectively cooling the area. It thrives in wet, heavy bottomland soils, growing especially well along the Mississippi River basin to the gulf coasts. Nuttall oaks can easily adapt to a range of soil types and even become drought-tolerant once established. In the fall, it displays red and red-orange leaves, adding a vibrancy to your yard.
The quick-growing nuttall oak is beloved by wildlife for its contribution to food sources and habitat growth. Ducks and deer enjoy the acorns that grow into December, providing an energy source well into the colder months. Nuttall oaks are also easy to grow from seed and tolerate poorly drained soil, making them a good choice for new gardeners.
If you wish to help with wildlife conservation, nuttall oaks are a convenient and needed source of late-season food plots. They can be planted along deer trails to lead wildlife to a larger plot. Planting nuttall oaks in areas that flood each year helps mitigate the effects of flooding on duck habitats, allowing wildlife to establish nests and giving them a consistent food source. Nuttall oaks are also host plants to the larvae of the Imperial moth as well as to multiple butterflies like the Banded hairstreak and Horace’s duskywing.
Overcup Oak – Quercus lyrata
The overcup oak stands out among other oaks for its distinctive acorns, the caps of which can cover up to three-fourths of its body. This medium-sized oak species can be found in the flood plains and swamp lands of Southeastern states, stretching from the corners of Delaware to Texas to Florida to Illinois. They thrive even in areas with heavy rainfall and floods.
The slow and unpredictable growth of overcup oaks makes them unsuitable for commercial lumber use. They are more often used as ornamental plants in yards and urban areas. Their uniform and dense canopy provide large, shady areas, and their green foliage turns a pleasant yellow or orange color in the fall, adding much-needed pops of color to cities.
While uncommonly used as building lumber, local wildlife greatly benefits from the overcup oak as a habitat and food source. Its acorns are eaten by wildlife, including squirrels, small rodents, wild turkeys, hogs, and white-tailed deer. Its dense crown provides a home to birds and tree-dwelling creatures, and its yellow and red flowers provide nectar and pollen to local pollinators.
Swamp Chestnut Oak – Quercus michauxii
The swamp chestnut oak is also called the basket oak and the cow oak. These nicknames arose from its use to make baskets and cows eating its sweet acorns. This native oak species prefers moist loamy soil found across southeastern states, but it doesn’t like areas with a long flooding season. It prefers humid temperatures, hot summers, and short winters.
Despite its need for specific conditions and its susceptibility to insect damage, the swamp chestnut oak grows quickly and aggressively. Deer, wild hogs, and squirrels are fond of eating this oak’s acorns and birds often build nests in its branches. Wood from this species of oak is commonly used in construction for fenceposts, agricultural tools, fuel, and baskets. If you plan to plant a swamp chestnut oak, you can expect to see acorns grow and drop when the tree is around 20 to 25 years old in September and October.
Visit a Native Tree Nursery
Native oak species are often underused plants for landscaping and wildlife conservation, despite the many benefits they offer to the ecosystem. If you’re interested in planting more native trees, visit a native tree nursery for more information on best practices. The right choices will depend on the type of soil, climate conditions, and wildlife activity in your area.
