Nursery / Tree
Quercus spp., Native

Oak Tree

Native oak species selected for regional adaptability - the single most valuable tree genus for wildlife support in the Eastern United States, and a genuine multi-generational planting.

Oak Tree

No native tree genus supports more wildlife species than oak. A mature oak can host hundreds of species of caterpillars alone, the base of the food web that feeds nesting songbirds. Beyond wildlife value, oak is simply one of the most durable, long-lived shade trees available for a property planning to still look intentional in fifty years.

We select native species adapted to regional conditions rather than ornamental cultivars bred primarily for fall color or form. The tradeoff is patience - oak grows more slowly than many landscape trees - but what you get in return is a tree built to genuinely last, structurally and ecologically.

Common questions

Before you plant.

  • Why is oak specifically better than other shade trees for wildlife?It supports far more caterpillar species than other native trees, and caterpillars are the primary food source nesting songbirds need to raise their young.
  • How fast does it grow?Slower than many popular landscape trees in the early years - this is normal. What you gain is much greater structural longevity.
  • Does it need a lot of care?Very little once established. Some structural pruning while young is worthwhile but not required.
  • Will it produce acorns I need to manage?Yes, mature oaks produce acorns, which are a genuine wildlife food source rather than a problem to solve.
  • Which oak should I choose?It depends on your soil and space. Tell us about the site, or book a consult, and we will match the species.
  • When will it produce acorns?Usually after 20 years or more, depending on the species.

    • Planting & Growing Information

    Ships as
    1-gallon, 3-gallon, field-grown by arrangement
    Hardiness zone
    4-9, species dependent
    Mature height
    60-80 ft, species dependent
    Water needs
    Moderate while establishing, low once mature
    Sun / shade
    Full sun for best form
    Bloom season
    Inconspicuous catkins, early spring
    Care
    Minimal once established, occasional structural pruning while young
    Attributes
    Native, exceptional wildlife value, long-lived, produces acorns for wildlife forage
    Ships to
    Most US states. We do not currently ship live plants to California, Arizona, Hawaii, or Florida due to state agricultural restrictions. Local pickup is available in Great Falls, Virginia.
    Plants that pair well

    Good company
    for your oak tree.

    Chestnut Tree
    Chestnut Tree
    A complementary large canopy nut tree for a mixed native planting.
    Echinacea
    Echinacea
    Native meadow perennial for the sunny edge while young oak canopy fills in.
    Pawpaw Tree
    Pawpaw Tree
    A shade-tolerant understory tree that will eventually grow beneath mature oak canopy.
    Native oaks

    The tree that
    feeds the whole food web.

    Entomologist Doug Tallamy's research found that oaks support more species of caterpillars than any other genus of tree in North America, more than 500 in the Mid-Atlantic. Those caterpillars are what songbirds feed their young.

    An oak is also one of the best investments a property can make in long-term shade and structure. A healthy oak can live for centuries.

    We grow native species suited to the region, matched to your soil: upland oaks for dry, well-drained ground and bottomland oaks for wetter sites.

    • Upland speciesOaks such as white oak and northern red oak, for well-drained sites.
    • Bottomland speciesOaks such as swamp white oak and pin oak, for wetter ground.
    • Field-grown treesLarger specimens by arrangement, for instant presence.
    • Current stockInventory varies by season and batch. Contact us to confirm what is available now, and in what size.

    What to know before you buy

    Young oaks put their energy into roots first. Expect slow top growth for the first few years, then steady progress.

    Protect the trunk from deer rubbing and mowers with a tree guard for the first several years.

    Plant it where it can reach its full size, well away from buildings and overhead lines.

    Leave the leaf litter under an oak where you can. Many of the insects it supports finish their life cycle in the leaves below.

    Sizes and formats

    What we ship.

    Plants ship in the dormant seasons, late fall and early spring, with local pickup in Great Falls. Availability changes by batch, so ask if you need a particular size.

    Oak Tree
    Oak Tree
    Quercus spp.
    Native oak species matched to your site, for shade, structure and unmatched wildlife value.
    NativeTree
    Available as: 1-gallon, 3-gallon, field-grown by arrangement
    Wholesale and bulk

    Planting at scale.

    We supply landscapers, nurseries, farms and larger residential projects with oak tree in quantity. Stock is seasonal and limited, so get in touch ahead of your planting window and we will plan around your order.

    Ask about wholesale →
    You might also like
    Chestnut Tree
    Chestnut Tree
    Pawpaw Tree
    Pawpaw Tree
    Apple Tree
    Apple Tree
    Full Nursery Catalog
    Full Nursery Catalog

    Planning an orchard, guild or garden around this plant? An on-site consult in the DC area starts at $250, a written Remote Strategy at $1,500, or start small with a free guide.