How do you plant an oak tree?


Total Posts: 4

I have an oak tree in front of my house and it always drops seeds on the ground and it starts growing baby oaks. I want to plant it somewhere else but i don’t know when to. Is it right to put it in a glass of water until it starts growing roots? Or should i plant it elswhere immediately?



Total Posts: 149

Hi, I’m not an expert on oaks specifically, but my family has taken a lot of “babies” (or “volunteers”), mostly japanese maples descended from some in Fairmount Park in Phila. where my great grandfather worked, to many other places we have lived.  I flew some to CA almost 20 years ago, just saw them this spring, still growing in Alameda.

Anyway, we would usually wait until they were a foot tall or more, then just dig them up and replant.  Leave as much dirt on the roots as is practical and don’t let the roots dry out.  As long as it’s not too hot and dry, or too cold, I don’t think they are too picky.  I think the best thing is to get them in the ground sooner than later after digging them up.  I would not put them in water.  Hope that helps!



Total Posts: 11

Thanks for responding