How old is that bur oak?

[Ben.MN/WI]

Lots of variables influence the age versus diameter, so it isn't exactly cut and dried. When we moved into our house, we had a smallish (20" diameter) younger bur oak tree that was growing under the canopy of some adjacent old oaks. The old trees grew straight up, but this young tree grew at an angle to reach sunlight. Unfortunately for that tree, it was starting to lean over my house, so I cut it down.

That young tree was 130 years old, so I'm sure some of the old trees are 200+ years old. It is pretty cool to think that the trees in my yard likely had buffalo grazing under them when they were younger.

 

[Foggy47]

I've got a shit-ton of Burr Oaks about this size located throughout my property. These were released after logging my pines a few years ago. They really took off in the time since then....all they needed was to get some sunlight....and they were off to the races. They seem to produce acrorns every second or third year....depending on weather. Hopefully better with more time. I'd bet I have 1000 or more.....and never planted a one.

These three trees seem to be a magnet for game.

 

[SD51555]

I’ve released tons of 10-15’ oaks, and I keep them released, and they don’t seem to do anything. Now, we’ve not had more than 5 inches of rain per growing season for 5 years straight either.


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[KY wild]

I’ve released tons of 10-15’ oaks, and I keep them released, and they don’t seem to do anything. Now, we’ve not had more than 5 inches of rain per growing season for 5 years straight either.


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I forester told me that if a tree is stunted for too long and too harshly it will not respond to being released. He said some oaks are 20 years old and only an inch in diameter. The calculator says that it is basing average growth on trees in forest, not in the open.

 

[Foggy47]

I’ve released tons of 10-15’ oaks, and I keep them released, and they don’t seem to do anything. Now, we’ve not had more than 5 inches of rain per growing season for 5 years straight either.


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One good thing about most of my property.....is that the water table may only be a few feet from the surface. So, while it is all light sandy soil.....if you got deep roots....you will find water. That is huge for growing trees......well drained, but water below.

I can remember trying to dig a post hole for my 4 x 6 gate posts.......and at about 2.5" deep the sand just constantly collapsed from the water present. I put the posts in the ground....dumped-in two bags of dry sackrete per hole....and today those posts are solid as a rock.

 

[SD51555]

One good thing about most of my property.....is that the water table may only be a few feet from the surface. So, while it is all light sandy soil.....if you got deep roots....you will find water. That is huge for growing trees......well drained, but water below.

I can remember trying to dig a post hole for my 4 x 6 gate posts.......and at about 2.5" deep the sand just constantly collapsed from the water present. I put the posts in the ground....dumped-in two bags of dry sackrete per hole....and today those posts are solid as a rock.

Somebody taught me that trick once too. I’ve yet to need to try it but I will.


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[Turkey Creek]

I guess a tree boring sample is the only way to know for sure. We have a Burr Oak at my MIL's that is maybe 8" at DBH. That thing was loaded with acorns 2 years ago. Its in full sun on decent soil. I would wager that tree is less than 15 years old. There are some old Burrs 50 yards away around a old farmstead that look like they are probably 80 years old or better.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

The only burr oak I ever saw was in the yard of a 3-story old home in a town in NC Pa. It was between 5 ft. and 6 ft. in DBH. The lowest limbs were 2 ft. in dia. where they left the trunk. I always wanted to stop and take a pic of it, with my wife at the base for reference - but never did. A few years ago, I went by that home and that old burr had been cut down. I would've loved to have counted the growth rings on it. It dwarfed that 3-story home, and reminded me of one of those big, gnarly, spooky-looking trees you see in scary movies. I'm guessing settlers walked by it many years ago.

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

We have several that I would measure the DBH in feet not inches. I’m not talking 2-3 feet either. These things are absolutely massive. Several on the farm that was homesteaded in the 1850’s. I wouldn’t doubt they were the same size back then. They haven’t noticeably grown in 40 years.


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[cbw]

The only burr oak I ever saw was in the yard of a 3-story old home in a town in NC Pa. It was between 5 ft. and 6 ft. in DBH. The lowest limbs were 2 ft. in dia. where they left the trunk. I always wanted to stop and take a pic of it, with my wife at the base for reference - but never did. A few years ago, I went by that home and that old burr had been cut down. I would've loved to have counted the growth rings on it. It dwarfed that 3-story home, and reminded me of one of those big, gnarly, spooky-looking trees you see in scary movies. I'm guessing settlers walked by it many years ago.

Great description. Our timber is full of these stately giants.


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[b116757]

Lots of variables influence the age versus diameter, so it isn't exactly cut and dried. When we moved into our house, we had a smallish (20" diameter) younger bur oak tree that was growing under the canopy of some adjacent old oaks. The old trees grew straight up, but this young tree grew at an angle to reach sunlight. Unfortunately for that tree, it was starting to lean over my house, so I cut it down.

That young tree was 130 years old, so I'm sure some of the old trees are 200+ years old. It is pretty cool to think that the trees in my yard likely had buffalo grazing under them when they were younger.

In heavy timber it’s not uncommon for a small diameter oak or other species that’s heavily shaded or has a very small crown to be very very old they only put on any meaningful grown when their crowns get released intentionally by humans or naturally by a neighboring tree dying for whatever reason. I’ve cut down many many smaller trees like this and counted the rings only to find what I thought was a young tree was really a 75+ years old but to shaded to really grow.

 

[Pine Lake]

Age vs size will vary dramatically, especially with climate. Up here in northern Canada one of my mid-sized bur oak was hit by lightning. I counted rings and was surprised it exceeded 300yrs of age. Older than my country - and there are much larger bur oak in my stand. Temperatures can have a significant effect on density.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Temperatures can have a significant effect on density.

Yep - colder temps = tighter rings. I didn't know oaks grew that far north, as you indicated in northern Canada. Glad you have some there.