Oak trees play a critical role as a “keystone species,” in ecosystems around the world. Providing food and shelter for a wide array of mammals, birds, insects and fungi, they provide an essential foundation of living communities wherever they exist. Regardless of your location, there’s likely one or more oak species that are key to a healthy local ecosystem.
Worldwide, there are 435+ oak species, with nearly one-third of those threatened with extinction, according to a recent report, The Red List of Oaks 2020. About 90 species are found in North America. You can do your part, on a variety of levels, to preserve, protect and promote oaks in your region. On the community level, you can support organizations whose mission it is to steward local oak habitats. Look around, and you’ll find initiatives in your own region similar to the Oak Prairie Working Group and the Growing Oaks project that strive to protect our local populations of Oregon Oak (Quercus garryana).
The International Oak Society brings together oak aficionados from around the world – experts and amateurs alike are welcome. Their Oak Conservation and Research Fund is growing and supporting oak preservation efforts. Morton Arboretum spearheaded and supports the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak (GCCO).
Here in Oregon, our nursery sprouts tons of acorns of dozens of oak species every year. Many are grown from seed to finished trees, and others are used as rootstocks for grafting oak cultivars that we and other horticulturists have developed and/or selected for their unique characteristics and superior performance in urban landscape settings. We care for them for five to seven years. We then ship them to our customers across the continent who may offer them directly to their garden center customers or plant them in their fields or container yards to be grown on to larger sizes.
Choosing an oak or oaks and planting it in your own landscape or donating them to a public landscape space, or planting oaks with a local non-profit organization are direct ways in which you can protect oaks and improve your local environment. Here, we feature several native species along with outstanding cultivars that are tailored for urban environments.
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Found throughout the Midwest and much of Canada, this large and impressive native tree grows from Manitoba to Texas and is therefore adaptable to many sites and varied growing conditions. Leaves have an intriguing shape, resembling English Oak near the petiole, then fanning out at mid-leaf to what may be the biggest oak leaf of all. In summer, the dark green leaf surfaces contrast with the lighter undersides to create a shimmering effect. Fall color is yellow to yellow brown.
Hardy through USDA Zone 3 and more tolerant of city conditions than most oaks, Bur Oak adapts to varied growing conditions including dry sandy soils, clay soils, and alkaline soils. Its majestic, broad canopy with thick trunk and stout branches cast welcome shade for parks, campuses and large open spaces.
American Dream® Oak
Quercus bicolor ‘JFS-KW12’ PP 23632
In addition to drought resistance and the ability to thrive in poorly drained sites, this fast-growing tree demonstrates good resistance to anthracnose and mildew. Its large, lustrous, deep green leaves are thick and glossy, with wavy margins. After turning buttery yellow in autumn, they turn to rich tawny brown and remain on the tree late into the season.
A vigorous grower, American Dream® Oak develops a broadly pyramidal canopy of good density as it reaches a mature height of approximately 45 feet and spread of 45 feet.
Gambel Oak
Quercus gambelii
Dark green leaves are shiny on top and dull green beneath, presenting a two-tone effect when breezes stir the branches of this iconic tree of the interior mountainous West. Ranging from Utah and Colorado to the Mexican border, this heat and drought tolerant native tree matures to a height and spread of approximately 25’ x 25’. Also known as Rocky Mountain White Oak, this hardy oak performs best in slightly acid to very alkaline soil. Fall color is yellow orange to orange red. It grows well in Zones 4-7, according to SelecTree, a Tree Selection Guide presented by Cal Poly University and partners that include the U.S. Forest Service.
Urban Pinnacle® Oak
Quercus macrocarpa ‘JFS-KW3’ PP 22815
A bur oak like no other, the unusually narrow and upright form of this pyramidal to narrowly oval cultivar makes it a clear choice for landscape settings that call for a large shade tree with a slender profile. Petite acorns, about 1⁄2” in diameter, are extremely small for a bur oak, adding to its suitability for landscape and street use. Attractive, dark green, glossy foliage is resistant to both mildew and anthracnose. Handsome yellow fall color adds seasonal appeal to this hardy and adaptable tree that is rated hardy through USDA Zone 3.
Crimson Spire™ Oak
Quercus x bimundorum ‘Crimschmidt’
Crimson Spire™ Oak is a landscape exclamation point. This fast-growing, columnar tree combines the best characteristics of its English (Q. robur) and White Oak (Q. alba) parents to deliver a handsome, adaptable, drought tolerant, disease-resistant shade tree.
Dark-green, mildew-resistant foliage and reddish fall color, plus narrow form and perfect uniformity make it an ideal street tree. It may be planted near power lines, streets and buildings without danger of its branches encroaching on rights-of-way. Reaching a height and spread of about 45’ x 15’, it grows into a remarkably handsome formal tree or may be planted in rows to form a dense, sound-absorbing hedge for visual screening or windbreak.
Skinny Genes® Oak
Quercus x bimundorum ‘JFS-KW2QX’ PP 24442
Skinny jeans turn heads in the fashion world. The same can be said of Skinny Genes® Oak, our 2013 introduction that’s turning heads in the plant world as its use and popularity grows. A slim fit designed for cityscapes, this leafy, elegant exclamation point is perfectly suited for planting along narrow streets and other restricted urban planting spaces.
Tightly columnar form and glossy dark green summer foliage make it a showstopper in the fields, on the streets and in the landscape. Clean, mildew resistant foliage stays fresh and green through the heat of summer before turning tawny yellow in autumn and defoliating in late winter. Mature height and spread are approximately 45’ x 10’. Hardy through USDA Zone 4, it was selected from second generation seedlings of a sister of the adaptable, time-tested and widely planted Crimson Spire™ Oak.
Gardeners! Please note that our nursery is strictly wholesale. To purchase these and other trees grown by our nursery, please use our Retailer Locator to find sources of JFS trees near you.
