Live Oak

[snyder66]

Has anyone had any experience with the Live Oak in colder zones? Ilive in 6b and would like to try it. I would like to hear about any success stories. Thanks

[ROBRETI]

Hi snyder66!

Live oak is a wonderful tree. You plant it to your grandchildren, though. I have some information on grwoing it under 6b/7a conditions, in Hungary. Hungary is at least 30% drier that East US, which gives an additional stress to the non-native trees. What I noted is that Quercus virginiana grows pretty slowly in teh first years - as a lot of oaks - and tends to be semi-evergreen if exposed to longer cold weathers. In spring, however, it comes back and makes you smile!!!!

Go for it, snyder66. Give it a lot of water and place it in the sun. Give it a big space and enjoy its sight!
Robert

[ROBRETI]

This week-end I went to see the South COast Gardens and Nursery in St Williams, by Lake Erie. Very nice, small nursery trying to speciallize in rare plants i.e. exotics in South Ontario. Kevin the owner showed me around and showed me a tiny live oak, which successfully overwintered in South Ontario, about zone 6A. It did not have any damage. So, it is worth a try and remember, if it survive, your grandchildren will enjoy it , too!
Rob

[BILL MA]

I have a whole list of ones somewhere that if any will make it these will. I'm almost skeptical of the ones from dry area's even though they have endured sub zero, so have washy's from the same places or close to. Not that there the same in any means but low moisture areas have FAR better cold tolerance.

If anyone on this board can help us it Eric from OLK. That's where the most hardy some what humid tree form is from, it;s called Q. virginiana var. fusiformis. I would be VERY, VERY skeptical about planting one of these tree's unless you either no someone in the area of N Texas, S. OLK. area or you actually go there. I will for sure seek one of these tree's in the near future when I move to my next spot. I will go to the area to get a true specimen though when the time is right. Some live oaks could live for several years before crapping out in a Northern 6b area and one of these once established might make it long term.

Just my opinion. I have thought about this very subject many times though.

Bill

[TT]

Who had tried such species of evergreen (live) or semi-evergreen oaks, as Quercus arizonica, Quercus berberidifolia, Quercus fusiformis, Quercus ilex, Quercus grisea, Quercus mohriana, Quercus sadleriana, Quercus turbinella, Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus emoryi, Quercus hemisphaerica? Can these oaks be grown in zone 6a/5b as small shrubs?

[seedscanada]

I have grown Q. chysolepis from seed. One died in the first year outdoors, the other two died in the third year outdoors. Respective lows for those years: -17c, -18c, -11c.
Getting a firm establishment is definitely key to their survival (deep roots!)

I have a Q. fusiformis. Trying it in ground this winter... had two in a very large pot. We saw growth, but then one of the two just died this past winter. The remaining plant had about 50% dieback. It has now fully recovered all foliage and former height of growth. It is about 24 inches tall and has three shoots (it is a heavily suckering oak).
I plan to heavily mulch as well as give wind protection for the winter.