planting under oaks
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: planting under oaks
- From: S* A* O*
- Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 18:12:29 -0800
To get back to this thread . . .
Contrary to popular belief, oaks newly planted under routinely irrigated
conditions are not less prone to root diseases than those previously grown
dry and then irrigated. Young oaks, in general, are much more able to
fight the effects of soil pathogens that can flourish with summer
irrigated. At this stage, oaks previously grown dry tend to be
established, older specimens as there is an alarming trend in California
that few young oaks are replacing these venerable specimens. ALL oaks
which usually grow in summer dry areas can fall victim to soil problems is
irrigated in summer. Oaks adapted to moister valley floors or riparian
conditions are, of course, adapted to dealing with those
conditions. Deliberately planting ANY type of plant, or subjecting an
existing specimen to growing conditions for which it is not adapted can
lead to problems. In the case of oaks, the symptoms can take many years to
appear, and by then it is usually too late to remedy.
I have watched many oaks fall victim to a variety of urban/suburban
problems in our local area. Clients are often reticent to listen when you
tell them that their expensive new landscape with automatic irrigation
could cause their oaks problems. These same clients may not recall your
previous warnings when their majestic and property enhancing leafy canopy
finally falls victim to the slow death they were dealt. Oakland, CA, once
covered with groves of immense oak groves, with many large and handsome
specimens, now hold few to honor its name. A minor example is on showcase
in front of City Hall, recently encircled by a raised lawn which is (of
course) heavily irrigated. While they did observe the 'drip-line'
guidlines, I wonder how long this guy might last!
There is lots to learn about oaks - for those interested, check out the
following page on our web-site:
http://www.support.net/Medit-Plants/plants/Oaks.html
There will be links on this page to other pages about books available and
internet resources of interest.
Sean O.
Sean A. O'Hara sean.ohara@groupmail.com
h o r t u l u s a p t u s 710 Jean Street
'a garden suited to its purpose' Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ask me about the worldwide Mediterranean gardening discussion group
