Their prominent trunks and wide canopies make oaks popular among homeowners in Milford, Michigan.

Aside from their visual appeal, their natural structure and form make them the perfect example of a solid and sturdy tree. 

Oak trees are considered a keystone species in Milford, supporting hundreds of birds, bugs and mammal species by providing food and critical shelter and are a great choice for those considering adding Michigan native trees to their landscape.

But behind the bulky bark and widespread shade are the meticulous care and maintenance the owners invest in to keep them healthy and safe.

With this comprehensive oak tree care guide, you can learn about Milford’s oak tree species, their maintenance needs, and diseases you should watch out for.

Oak Trees in Milford, Michigan

Of the six hundred species of oaks, ten are native to Michigan. They can be categorized into two main groups: red oak trees and white oak trees.

Red oaks grow their leaves with pointy lobes from dark, reddish-brown bark. Primarily represented by the Northern Red Oak (Quercus Rubra) here in Milford, these red variants boast a fast growth rate. They reach sixty to seventy feet high and have a canopy about fifty to sixty feet wide.

Other red oak trees include the black oak, pin oak, northern pin oak, and scarlet oak.

Onto the white oaks (Quercus alba), their oak leaf lobes are rounded and sport a lighter bark than the reds. They also have more textured bark, whereas a red oak will have a smoother-looking groove.

White oak trees grow slightly slower but more significantly, reaching eighty to one hundred feet tall and fifty to eighty feet wide in canopy. This group also includes the bur oak, swamp white oak, chinkapin oak, and chestnut oak.

Choosing the Right Oak Tree

When picking the best oak tree for your property, consider multiple things. Each species has needs and growth preferences you’d want to align with your planting site.

Soil type

The ideal pH of soil for oak trees is between five and seven. Michigan soil’s pH ranges from four to eight point five. Using a home soil kit, you can assess whether your site’s soil is suitable for your tree.

Sunlight

Both red and white oak trees benefit greatly from full sunlight, but red oaks are more demanding, and white oaks are more forgiving to partial shade.

Space

Since oak trees can vary in size, you should consider their distance from infrastructure and other trees. You don’t want your tree’s size to get out of control and become inconvenient.

Tree Diseases

Another factor to account for is the tree’s vulnerability to diseases.

Oak wilt is a severe fungal disease endemic to North America. It can rapidly kill and spread among oak trees through root grafts and oak bar beetles, avoiding pruning in the warm months (April to October) is the best strategy to avoid this.

Red oaks die in weeks or a few months, while white oak trees can carry the disease for years. Because the disease progresses faster in red oaks, these trees need more attention and protection against such threats.

Other common diseases to look out for include leaf scorch, leaf blister, and bur oak blight.

Maintenance

Red and white oaks need regular maintenance to keep their tip-top shape and health.

Due to the red oak tree’s faster growth rate, it needs to be maintained more frequently. Meanwhile, the white oak’s bigger size and thicker branches require more effort and bigger tools for professional care.

With deciduous trees from the oak family, the green leaves turn brown and fall annually.

Be sure to maintain your oak trees in their dormant season to protect against disease.

When to Plant an Oak Tree

The best time for oak tree planting in Michigan is during the fall.

The soil temperature remains warm, boosting the development of the root system, while the temperature above the surface is already cool and moist for the young tree.

As plants and trees prepare for winter, they also go dormant, reducing competition for nutrients and water in the soil. When early spring arrives, the young oak tree is primed to make the most of the growing season.

Ideally, you plant the sapling in well-drained soil, with a planting hole twice the width of the root ball. Don’t go deeper than the root flare, or you will suffocate the trunk.

How to Care for an Oak Tree and Oak Tree Health

Proper Watering

As your newly planted oak tree grows its root zone, regular watering must be done daily for the first week and every other day for the second and third weeks.

After this period, do it twice or three times a week, depending on the site’s climate and soil conditions.

A fully mature oak tree with established roots can get by with watering every seven to ten days. Of course, your oak will still appreciate more frequent watering during the dry seasons.

Oak Tree Pruning

Regular pruning is also crucial to maintaining an appealing and healthy tree. Cutting hazardous, dead, and diseased branches supports its overall health and safety.

However, this must be done by professional pruners, as improper pruning can result in tree damage that may take years to fix.

Pruning during the wrong season will also make your tree vulnerable to deadly oak tree diseases, particularly oak wilt, which can enter through the wounds left by pruning cuts.

Fertilizing and Mulching

Growing oak trees in Milford’s urban spaces may need a boost. If an arborist consultation reveals that a mature tree is struggling with its nutrient needs, an arborist will recommend occasional fertilizers.

This will help stabilize your oak’s nutrient levels.

Compacted soil can also hinder tree roots. Organic mulch will not only provide your oak with extra “food,” but it can also minimize soil disturbance and reduce compaction.

How Tree Care Experts Can Help

Like any other trees in Milford, oaks need proper care if you want them to reach their full potential and enjoy their best benefits.

They even require extra care due to the deadly oak wilt that can endanger clusters of oaks in an area if it’s not managed.

Investing in professional tree care services can go a long way.

Local arborists certified by the International Society of Arboriculture will help you with all your oak tree care needs— from choosing the suitable species to tree planting and maintaining their health and beauty.