Key Highlights
- This guide provides care instructions for Oklahoma’s seven most common trees, aiding homeowners in maintaining beautiful and thriving landscapes.
- From the iconic Eastern Red Cedar to the resilient American Elm; each tree species is highlighted, emphasizing its unique characteristics and care requirements.
- Comprehensive advice on watering needs, soil preferences, fertilization recommendations, and best trimming and pruning practices.
- Seasonal maintenance routines specific to Oklahoma’s diverse climate are outlined, ensuring tree health throughout the year.
Caring for Trees in Oklahoma
Trees play a vital role in Oklahoma’s environment, offering shade from the scorching summer sun, reducing soil erosion, and improving air quality. They provide food and shelter for local wildlife, enhance property values, and contribute to the overall beauty of the landscape. However, Oklahoma’s unpredictable weather; ranging from droughts to strong winds and ice storms can put stress on even the hardiest trees. Proper care, including watering, trimming, pruning, and soil management, ensures these trees remain strong and resilient for generations to come.
Identifying Oklahoma’s 7 Most Common Trees
Choosing plants for your land in Oklahoma can be confusing. Starting with trees common in the Sooner State makes this easy and helps make and keep your yard pretty with trees that suit the local weather.
We will be looking at the seven of the most common Oklahoma trees and learn how to care for them: The Eastern Red Cedar, American Elm, Eastern Redbud, Shantung Maple, Bald Cypress, Chinese Date (Jujube), and Red Maple.
1. Eastern Red Cedar
- A hardy evergreen that thrives in Oklahoma’s diverse climate.
- Produces small, blue, berry-like cones that birds love.
- Has fragrant, reddish wood often used for fence posts and cedar chests.
- Considered invasive in some areas due to its rapid spread.
- Provides excellent windbreaks and erosion control.
2. American Elm
- A tall, graceful shade tree with a distinctive vase-shaped canopy.
- Once widely planted in cities but severely impacted by Dutch elm disease.
- Adaptable to various soil types and conditions.
- Features serrated, oval leaves that turn yellow in fall.
- Provides habitat and food for many birds and pollinators.
3. Eastern Redbud
- Oklahoma’s official state tree, known for its vibrant pinkish-purple spring blossoms.
- Small to medium-sized, reaching around 20–30 feet tall.
- Heart-shaped leaves turn golden-yellow in fall.
- Drought-tolerant and thrives in a variety of soil conditions.
- Flowers provide nectar for bees and early-season pollinators.
4. Shantung Maple
- A heat- and drought-tolerant maple ideal for Oklahoma landscapes.
- Features star-shaped, glossy green leaves that turn red, orange, and yellow in fall.
- Smaller in size than other maples, reaching around 25–30 feet tall.
- Low maintenance and resistant to many pests and diseases.
- Provides excellent shade while fitting well in urban or residential spaces.
5. Bald Cypress
- A unique deciduous conifer that thrives in both wet and dry soils.
- Can live for centuries and reach heights of over 100 feet.
- Develops distinctive “knees” (root protrusions) in swampy conditions.
- Its soft, feathery leaves turn orange-brown in fall before shedding.
- Resistant to pests, diseases, and urban pollution.
6. Chinese Date (Jujube)
- A drought-tolerant fruit tree that thrives in Oklahoma’s hot summers.
- Produces small, sweet, apple-like fruits that can be eaten fresh or dried.
- Features shiny green leaves and thorny branches.
- Extremely resilient, able to withstand poor soils and harsh conditions.
- Popular in both ornamental landscaping and home fruit production.
7. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
- One of the most popular shade trees due to its stunning red fall foliage.
- Grows quickly, reaching up to 50 feet tall.
- Adaptable to various soil types but prefers moist conditions.
- Provides early-season pollen for bees with its red flowers in spring.
- Often planted in parks, yards, and along streets for its beauty and shade.
Essential Care Tips for Each Tree Type
While each common tree in Oklahoma needs special care, some tips apply to all. First, keep an eye on your trees for pests or sickness. If you see any issues, fix them quickly to avoid bigger problems.
It’s important to water your trees well during their first growing season to grow strong. Once they are established, most Oklahoma trees can handle dry weather well. However, they still need deep watering now and then, especially during long dry spells.
Watering Requirements for Drought Tolerance
Watering is very important, especially when a tree is just getting started. The amount and frequency of watering depend on the type of tree and the kind of soil. Young trees need steady moisture during their first growing season.
As a general idea, giving about one inch of water each week is usually enough. This can come from rain or extra watering. It’s important to check how moist the soil is and change the watering schedule if the weather changes or the tree needs something different.
Putting mulch around the base of the tree keeps the moisture in and helps keep the soil temperature steady. This can reduce how often you need to water. Just remember not to stack the mulch against the trunk, as this can bring pests and diseases
Soil and Fertilization Needs
Understanding what kind of soil your tree needs in Oklahoma’s diverse climate and fertilizing correctly is very important for its growth. In Oklahoma, most trees grow best in soil that drains well. Some trees, like the Bald Cypress, can handle wetter soil.
Here are some basic fertilization tips:
- Young Trees (first 3 years): Fertilize 2-3 times each growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
- Established Trees: Fertilize once a year in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Adjust how much you use based on the tree type and conditions around it.
- Fruit Trees: Use a fertilizer with more phosphorus and potassium along with nitrogen to help with fruit production.
How to Trim a Tree Safely and Effectively
Pruning is very important for taking care of trees. It helps them grow well and look nice. But, if you prune the wrong way, you can hurt or even kill a tree. It’s important to know the best ways to prune. This includes choosing the right tools, picking the right time, and using good techniques.
If you’re not sure about what to do, it’s a good idea to talk to a certified arborist. They can help you, especially with bigger trees. Their knowledge will keep your trees safe and make sure they look great for a long time.
Best Practices for Pruning
Approaching pruning with a clear goal is very important. Do you want to improve the tree’s shape, remove dead or sick branches, or stop branches from touching buildings or power lines?
When you prune landscape trees, cut just above a bud or a branch collar. This helps the tree heal well and reduces the chance of disease. Take off branches that rub against each other or grow inward. This helps with airflow and light getting through, both of which are key for a healthy tree.
Prune young trees to create a strong structure. This gives physical protection to keep the young bark safe. Regular pruning helps young trees grow into beautiful parts of your landscape.
Tools and Techniques for Tree Trimming
The right tools for pruning depend on the type of tree. For smaller branches, like those on the Shantung Maple or Japanese Maple, hand pruners or loppers work well. If you have larger branches, you will need pruning saws or lopping shears for better strength.
Very sharp pruning tools create clean cuts and reduce harm to the tree. Dull blades can crush the branches. This makes it easier for diseases and pests to get in. So, it’s important to sharpen your tools often or get them serviced by a professional.
When you need to remove larger branches, use a three-cut method to avoid hurting the bark. The first cut should be a shallow undercut on the branch’s underside. The next cut is from the top, just outside the first cut. Then, remove the stub by cutting just outside the branch collar.
Seasonal Maintenance for Oklahoma Trees
Oklahoma has a variety of weather which affects trees. They face hot summers and icy storms in the winter. Changing how you care for trees based on the seasons can help them grow strong all year and withstand tough weather.
In spring and summer, it is important to water trees, especially the new ones. Additionally, trees like Ginkgo biloba, Amur Maple, and Nyssa sylvatica provide breathtaking autumn foliage. Many trees also bloom beautifully in the spring, enhancing the landscape with vibrant colors, including the striking purple flowers of the Redbud.
Caring for the 7 most common trees in Oklahoma is important. Additionally, not as common trees, but just as important that may need to be highlighted in Oklahoma include Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm), Quercus shumardii (Shumard Oak), Betula nigra (River Birch), Acer truncatum (Shantung Maple), Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum), Ginkgo biloba, and Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple). Many of these trees are native species to Oklahoma or the United States. They are important for the local environment. Knowing what each tree needs is essential for their health and for making your property look nice. By understanding their special features, you will help keep Oklahoma’s landscape healthy and beautiful.
Spring and Summer Care Routines
Spring in Oklahoma often has changing temperatures and unpredictable weather due to Oklahoma’s diverse climate. Because of this, it’s important to pay attention to watering, especially for new trees that are trying to grow strong. Watering deeply and less often is better for helping them develop a strong root system.
In the summer, when temperatures rise, it’s important to continue watering consistently, using rainfall as a guide. Using mulch can help keep the soil moist. Also, keep an eye out for pests like aphids or spider mites, which can affect trees like the Western Soapberry (Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii) that are more vulnerable.
The summer heat can also cause sunscald on young, thin-barked trees. To protect them, wrap their trunks with tree wrap or provide shade during the hottest times of the day. Taking steps to care for trees during the warmer months will help keep them healthy.
Preparing Trees for Winter
As the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter, trees in Oklahoma get ready for winter. This gives us beautiful fall colors. The Red Maple (Acer rubrum) stands out with its bright shades, showing us that winter is coming soon. Putting mulch around the base of the tree helps keep the soil warm and protects the roots from freezing. Keep watering the trees until the ground is frozen, as evergreens still need water during winter.
It’s very important to protect young trees, like Redbuds or Dogwood, from winter harm. You can wrap their trunks with burlap or tree wrap. This will help prevent sunscald and frost cracks, which can happen because of changing temperatures and bright sun during winter.
You need to know what each tree needs. This includes how much water to give and what to do in different seasons. Taking the right steps helps these trees grow strong. By understanding their special features, you will help keep Oklahoma’s landscape healthy and beautiful. We can make sure Oklahoma’s trees are healthy and last for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Time Of Year To Plant Trees in Moore, Oklahoma?
For the best results, the ideal time to plant in Moore, Oklahoma, is in the fall, from September to November. This timing gives trees enough opportunity to grow roots before the summer heat comes. The cooler temperatures in fall are gentler on new trees, which helps them survive better.
How Can I Tell What Type of Tree Is In My Yard?
Identifying trees is about looking at their shape, leaves, bark, and any flowers or fruit they may have. You can use resources like online tree guides, field guides, or get help from local arborists and experts at nurseries. These methods can help you accurately identify your trees.
Can Eastern Red Cedars Thrive in Urban Environments?
Eastern Red Cedars are strong and can adjust to different environmental conditions. This quality makes them a good choice for city areas. Their large root systems help them handle drought, which is common in urban places.
