Started By
Message

Best oak tree to plant?

Posted on 6/1/20 at 12:05 pm
Posted by tke_swamprat
Houma, LA
Member since Aug 2004
9794 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 12:05 pm
Looking to plant 2 trees in front my house. Looking at the Shumard and Nuttall oaks due them being fast growing and like the heat. Mainly looking to provide shade and pretty fall foliage. Any other suggestions?
Posted by boudinman
Member since Nov 2019
5119 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 12:22 pm to
If you have wildlife near your home, then plant White Oaks. They make a more palatable tasting acorn due to less tannic acid than the red oak family.

White Oaks are also known for shade and pretty fall foliage.


Shumard and Nuttall are red oaks.


White Oaks
Posted by CrawDude
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2019
5285 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 12:36 pm to
I don’t have either, but my next neighbors do, and based on their 25 year old trees I’d choose the Shumard (or a cherry bark red oak) over the Nutall oak. Nutall looks good, but the Shumard, IMO, looks better.

Cherry bark oak and Shumard almost look identical, but the cherry bark has a fuzzy, lighter green underside of leaf which make its stand out visually when there is sufficient breeze to rustle the leaves.
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
11433 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 1:38 pm to
Sawtooths are nice
Posted by bayoubengals88
LA
Member since Sep 2007
18996 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 1:53 pm to
What about American Sycamore? Fast growing and stunningly beautiful against a blue sky.
Posted by Zappas Stache
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
Member since Apr 2009
38777 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 2:13 pm to
Consider a chinese pistache for the best fall color. Its more of a medium size tree compared to a shumard and usually a better choice for a yard unless you have a big yard. Chinese pistache is now considered an invasive species because it puts out seeds that the birds spread. But "Keith Davey" is a fruitless variety that won't be invasive.
Posted by ItzMe1972
Member since Dec 2013
9824 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 3:33 pm to
I love Shumard oaks. It's my go to typically, but they can get big.

An alternative that I like is a Drake Chinese Elm.

LINK

Do you have a big yard?

Posted by Geauxld Finger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2005
31778 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 3:49 pm to
black thornless honey locust is nice, if you can find them
Posted by TimeOutdoors
AK
Member since Sep 2014
12123 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 4:54 pm to
Shumard. Instead of two oaks I would add more diversity. Love the Big Leaf Magnolia trees personally.
Posted by Cdawg
TigerFred's Living Room
Member since Sep 2003
59605 posts
Posted on 6/1/20 at 7:08 pm to
quote:

Looking at the Shumard and Nuttall oaks due them being fast growing and like the heat. Mainly looking to provide shade and pretty fall foliage.

Shumard oak is prettier foliage and some color in the fall but since both are red oaks, you need to consider where they will be planted. If it's a low area and could possibly hold a little water, The Nutall will do better. If it's in a raised type area, the Shumard will do better.

Posted by OysterPoBoy
City of St. George
Member since Jul 2013
35420 posts
Posted on 6/2/20 at 9:57 am to
Posted by LSUfanNkaty
LC, Louisiana
Member since Jan 2015
11117 posts
Posted on 6/2/20 at 10:25 am to
My parents bought a "Mexican Oak" a few years ago and DAMNNNNNN, that thing grows super fast. Pretty tree!
Posted by East Coast Band
Member since Nov 2010
62873 posts
Posted on 6/2/20 at 12:00 pm to
I'll second the Chinese pistache. Mine is not a fast grower though.

How big is your area? IMO, oaks are best for more wide open spaces away from the house, whereas I would suggest the maple ( many varieties) for closer to a home.
Posted by MaroonandWhite11
Member since Oct 2010
336 posts
Posted on 6/3/20 at 3:03 pm to
In terms of oaks, I would go with Nutall or Shumard as previously stated. The Nutall will give you a mix of red/orange fall color depending on the fall season.
Shumard will give you a scarlet red to orange fall color.

They both grow a bit slower than the white oak family.

The Chinese Pistache he would near the top of my fall foliage list.

The sugar maple would probably be at the top for its brilliant vivid orange/yellow fall color.

However depending on where you are located a different Acer variety may do better such as Florida Flame or Autumn Blaze.

Another good hardwood to consider would be the regular hickory or shagbark hickory.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram