How Fast do Oak Trees Grow?

Oak trees belong to the genus Quercus which comprises more than 600 species of trees. All have different life spans and rates of growth.
Live oak trees are fast-growing and may reach a height of 4 feet within the first year of its growth. After that, it settled into an even gain of about 24 inches per year in an environment with optimal conditions.

The species will normally reach its mature shape and size in and an average of 75 years.

The Size of a 10-Year-Old Oak Tree.

When an oak tree is grown in full sun, it can reach a height of up to 8 meters within ten years. As the tree grows old, the bark becomes hard, and it develops a spreading canopy.
As oak trees are very thirsty consuming 50 gallons of water per day when mature, their growth rate does depend on the environment they are planed in. Plant them in a state with good rainfall and they will grow a lot faster than in a dry arid environment.

How long do oak trees live?

Most oak trees live for 200 years or more if in optimal conditions. Some have been documented to have lived for over 1000 years.
Once the oak tree reaches maturity at around 75 years, its growth will slow and will put more resources into producing acorns and repairing itself, then it will into new growth.

Do oak trees ever stop growing?

At maturity, an oak tree grows slowly and produces less acorns. At 1,000 years, the tree is nearing the end of life. Some of its parts start to die at this point.
Oak trees are usually large in size at maturity. A mature oak tree can achieve a height of 70 feet tall and a trunk width of up to 9 feet. The branches can be as long as 135 feet.
Oak trees are classified among trees that absorb the highest amounts of water as they can absorb up to 50 gallons of water a day.

Regular trimming of your oak tree will ensure structural integrity and its longevity.

Fastest growing oak trees

All the below-listed Oak trees grow just as fast as each other in relative terms. The way to increase their rate of growth would be to improve their environment with plenty of water and sun.

White Oak – Prevalent in North America, the white oak will grow to about 60 feet high and wide when fully mature. This is the most popular oak tree in California for a feature tree in a paddock or the front of a home.

Northern Red Oak – Also a very popular oak tree the red oak grows taller than the white oak with a maximum height of 75 feet and a width of 50feet or more.
This is a very rugged tree that can cope well in urban and city landscapes. The also filter the air at a very fast pace making them ideal for city parks and green spaces.

Pin Oak – Another classic of North America the pin oak greats it name for not growing as wide as the others. It will grow just as tall topping out at 70 feet, but normally does not grow much wider than 40 feet.
This is due to the structure of the tree branches not extended out at far as the above two.

Can an Oak Grow from an Acorn?
Oak trees do grow from acorns, they are the seeds for starting a new tree. The best time for planting an acorn is early autumn. It is advisable to collect acorns for planting during early autumn as they will not have fallen from the trees. Ensure that the acorns that you pick are free from fungus, insects, and holes to increase the chances of germination.
After germination, transplant the acorn into your preferred site. Mature acorns for most types of oak trees are brownish and may also contain slight tinges of green remaining.

The float test

After you have picked the acorns, perform a float test. Put the harvested acorns in a basin of water for a few minutes and get rid of any that float as they cannot germinate. One of the reasons for the floating of acorns is damage by insects. A damaged acorn will have a hole on it. Rotten acorns tend to be soft to touch and should be discarded.
Take the good acorns and hibernate them by placing them in a zipper bag and place the bag in a refrigerator and wait for at least 6 weeks before planting.

Check the acorns regularly to ensure that the medium is in good condition. If the medium used is too moist, the acorns will rot, and if it is dry, they will not germinate.

The roots may appear in early winter.