The homeland of the red oak is North America, where it mainly grows, covering part of Canada. It grows in height up to 25 meters, and the life expectancy reaches about 2000 years. It is a deciduous tree with a dense, tent-shaped crown and a thin trunk covered with smooth grayish bark. The crown is covered with thin, shiny, up to 2.5 cm long leaves. Begins to bloom with the beginning of leaf blooming from 15-20 years of age. The fruits of the red oak are red-brown acorns up to 2 centimeters long. It can grow on any soil except lime and waterlogged.
Planting and leaving
Planting is done in early spring, before the leaves begin to bloom. To do this, a small depression is made in the ground and a seedling is lowered into it, making sure that the remains of the acorn are at least 2 cm from the soil level. For its planting, places with good lighting and lime-free soil are selected, as well as places located on a hill so that moisture does not stagnate. After planting, during the first 3 days, the seedling is watered regularly. Caring for red oak is reduced to regular pruning of dry branches and the organization of wintering of young plants. For the winter, plants take shelter in the first 3 years of life, wrapping burlap or other material around the trunk that can protect the young tree from severe frosts. An adult tree does not need such protection.
For propagation of oak, its fruits (acorns) are used, which are harvested in late autumn under healthy and strong trees to grow the same strong and healthy seedlings. It can be planted both in autumn and spring, although it is very difficult to keep them safe and sound until spring. Best of all, they survive the winter under the trees, and in the spring you can collect already sprouted acorns.
Diseases and pests
In general, red oak is resistant to pests and diseases, but still sometimes it is exposed to some diseases and is affected by pests. As a disease, necrosis of branches and trunk can be noted, and as pests - powdery mildew, fruit cap moth, oak leaf roll. He especially suffers from powdery mildew, which does not respond to treatment.
Medical use
In medicine, the bark and leaves of red oak are used for the preparation of decoctions and infusions, as well as for the manufacture of medicines. Infusions and decoctions are used in the treatment of eczema, varicose veins, gum disease, spleen and liver diseases. Tinctures from young oak bark can improve blood circulation, have the ability to increase immunity, and raise the tone of the body.
The blanks are made during the period of sap flow, and the leaves are harvested in mid-May. The prepared raw materials are dried under the sheds. When stored properly, oak bark retains its medicinal properties for 5 years.
Use of wood
Oak wood, strong and durable with a light brown to yellowish brown shade that darkens over time. He played a pivotal role in transforming the United States industry and is a symbol of the state of New Jersey.At the dawn of the industrial revolution of this country, wheels, plows, barrels, looms, reinforced concrete sleepers and, of course, furniture and other utensils of everyday demand were produced from it. Its wood is heavy and hard with good flexural and resistance properties. When applied, the bark bends well. It lends itself well to physical handling. When using screws, it is advisable to pre-drill the holes. It is easy to polish and can be easily processed with various dyes and polishing agents. Nowadays, it is used for the manufacture of furniture, decoration elements, veneer, parquet, parquet boards, doors, interior decoration, lining production.
The oak is considered a sacred tree by many peoples. He was worshiped by the ancient Slavs and Celts as a deity. This tree has a powerful energy and is a symbol of fortitude and courage to this day.
Red oak can be attributed to the main element of park and urban landscaping and is the best material for landscape design. This plant requires a large area for its use in landscape compositions. In this regard, it is used to decorate large squares and parks. Unfortunately, it is not possible to plant such a tree, due to its impressive size, on a personal plot or cottage.
Western Europe uses it in landscape design because of its noise-blocking properties and also because of its phytoncidal properties. It is used in row plantings for wind protection of residential areas and central highways.
Varieties of oak
English oak. One of the most durable types. Although the average life expectancy ranges from 500-900 years, but, according to the sources, they are able to live up to 1500 years. It grows naturally in Central and Western Europe, as well as in the European part of Russia. It has a slender trunk, up to 50 meters high - in dense plantations, and a short trunk with a wide, spreading crown in open spaces. Wind resistant thanks to a strong root system. It grows slowly. Long-term waterlogging of the soil is difficult, but it can withstand 20-day flooding.
Fluffy oak. A long-lasting tree up to 10 meters high, which can be found in southern Europe and Asia Minor, in the Crimea and in the northern part of the Caucasus. It can often be found in the form of a bush.
White oak. Found in the East of North America. A powerful beautiful tree up to 30 meters high, with strong spreading branches forming a tent-like crown.
Swamp oak. A tall tree (up to 25 meters) with a narrow-pyramidal crown at a young age, and a wide-pyramidal crown at a mature age. The greenish-brown bark of the tree trunk remains smooth for a long time.
Willow oak. Differs in the original shape of the leaves, resembling willow leaves.
Stone oak. The native land of this evergreen tree is Asia Minor, Southern Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean. Nice and valuable view for park design. This tree has been cultivated since 1819. Drought-resistant and frost-resistant.
Chestnut oak. This type of oak is listed in the Red Book. In the wild, it can be found in the Caucasus, Armenia and northern Iraq. Its height reaches 30 meters and has a tent-like crown. The leaves resemble in appearance, chestnut leaves and have triangular pointed teeth at the edges. Grows rapidly, has medium resistance to low temperatures.
Large oak. A fairly tall tree (up to 30 meters) with a wide hipped crown and a thick trunk. Immediately, long leaves, obovate, up to 25 cm long, catch the eye. They become very beautiful by autumn. It grows very quickly, loves moisture, moderately hardy.
A bit of history
Since ancient times, man has been using the wonderful properties of this unique tree. Paradoxically, but the oak, or rather its fruits, our ancestors used for food.During excavations in the Dnieper region, archaeologists found evidence that in the 4-3 millennium BC, acorns were baked from acorns, after having ground them into flour. In the Middle Ages, in many European countries, acorn flour was used to bake bread. For example, old Poland practically did not know about bread baked without mixing such flour. In Russia, they generally baked bread from acorn flour and partially added rye to the dough. Such bread, in the years of famine, was the staple food.
In the 12th century, pigs were grazed in oak forests. They were driven into the forests when the forest cover was strewn with wild apples, pears and acorns. The love of pigs for acorns can be judged by the saying: "Although the boar is full, it will not pass by the acorn."
We cannot ignore the attitude of our ancestors to the oak as a building material. In the 17th-18th centuries, entire cities were erected from oak, and flotillas were also built. Up to 4,000 trees were used to manufacture one military vessel. During that period, oak groves were carved clean.
In the old days, great preference was given to furniture made of oak. She stood out for its special reliability, splendor and massiveness. Popular chests of Russian work, made of oak and bound with carved iron, were sold in the Transcaucasus, Khiva and Bukhara. In such chests, clothes were stored, dowry was collected. At the same time, there was a saying: "A steamed oak does not break." The craftsmen of those times steamed oak blanks and gave them the necessary shapes. Oak wood was used for the manufacture of agricultural tools: pitchfork, rake, harrows. Young oaks, with equal trunks, were used to make spear holders. They were dried and sanded thoroughly. Such blanks were called "spearwood".
