Oak tree Vs Conifer - advice requested

15 years ago

I have a few conifers of moderate to large sizes in one of my boundaries - I've just noticed that an Oak sapling is growing at the base of one of the conifers - I have only in fact noticed it this year as it's just got to the right height and width to show its branches outside of the shelter of the conifer (not sure what type of conifer it is - it has yellowish-green leaves and clusters of rather small fir cones).

The trunk of the Oak is about 1.5 inches in diameter, the trunk of the conifer about 5 inches in diameter.

The Oak is growing right at the base of the conifer, its trunk emanating from the ground at an angle so they both make a V shape (the conifer trunk is vertical, the oak trunk at about a 45 degree angle - it gradually straightens about a foot along the trunk where it almost goes up vertically); it's almost touching the trunk of the conifer at the very base.

I like the idea of having an Oak where it is and have trimmed back some of the conifer branches to give the Oak more light and water, but I don't want to cut back the conifer too hard as it's nice and bushy and gives good cover and privacy.

Should I leave them be and see which one 'wins' the battle for light and water?

Thanks

Comments (16)

pineresin
15 years ago
Can you post a photo?
themadhedger
Original Author
15 years ago
I could, but what of - the proximity of the oak trunk to the conifer trunk, the whole trees or both? I ask as it will be tricky to get a decent shot of the trunks, and taking a picture of the whole trees will just show a conifer with oak twigs and leaves sticking out on one side. :-)
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pineresin
15 years ago
The foliage of the conifer (to identify it), and the pair together, to see how well-established they look

Resin
wisconsitom
15 years ago
My first impression is that having the two growing together as they are does not bother you. As it's your property, etc. and as you would be okay with the two as they are, then yes, I'd say leave them be. This happens in nature too sometimes (And, in fact, this is a "natural" occurrence that you have here, too) and can lead to some interesting things.

+oM
themadhedger
Original Author
15 years ago
Will try and do some pics today or tomorrow.

I'm maninly curious if one is likely to kill off the other or stunt its growth in any way.

Also, seeing as the Oak is growing at an angle, does this mean it will end up tilted and so more likely to be unstable in high winds? (I live in a high-ish, fairly exposed location).
wisconsitom
15 years ago
The

For certain, the two will be in competition with each other, for light, water, nutrients. Since we don't know the actual id of either tree, speculations on which is likely to outcompete the other are hard to make.

The oak will become more or less vertical as it escapes the shade of the conifer. Still not seeing the actual subject, I'm guessing, but I don't think the oak will be especially unstable because of the way it started growth.

+oM
themadhedger
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks. Will definitely try and get some pics tomorrow.
themadhedger
Original Author
15 years ago
Okay, here goes with some pictures (I forgot to take a close up of the cone clusters on the conifer, but hopefully the images of the tree just showing the ;eaves will be good enough to ID it) -

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g319/Dalek99999/P6090087.jpg (this one just shows the base of the trunks - the thinner one to the left growing at an angle is the Oak trunk)

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g319/Dalek99999/P6090085.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g319/Dalek99999/P6090084.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g319/Dalek99999/P6090083.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g319/Dalek99999/P6090082.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g319/Dalek99999/P6090080.jpg
pineresin
15 years ago
A yellow-foliage cultivar of Lawson's Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, and an English Oak Quercus robur.

In this case, I'd tend to favour the oak; the cypress isn't a particularly good specimen. The oak is young enough to straighten up quite well so I'd not worry about the leaning base.

Resin
themadhedger
Original Author
15 years ago
Excellent, thank you kindly.

When you say you would favour the oak, do you mean that the oak will survive well against the conifer (the latter eventually dying in 'x' years), or that you would cut down the conifer?

Also, I forgot to mention - the oak is about 12 feet from my house - is this likely to cause a problem in the future in terms of root damage to the foundations, etc?

Thanks
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
ignore them .... or enjoy them ....

they will work it all out in the long run ....

you might want to get another lawson .. and plant it in toward the camera ....

in my estimate.. the oak is much more valuable than the $20 potted conifer ...

there is a chance... with proper research.. that you can root the lawson .... rather easily ....

ken
themadhedger
Original Author
15 years ago
If it wasn't providing a good bit of my privacy then I'd happily remove the conifer. Maybe I should put up a fence panel in its place .........
pineresin
15 years ago
I was thinking remove the cypress to favour the oak, BUT . . . that is too close to your house for an oak to grow safely, particularly if you have clay soil. You could get subsidence damage to the foundations.

Resin
themadhedger
Original Author
15 years ago
Ah, that's a pity.

Is there perhaps any chance that I could re-plant the oak? The close proxity of the trunk (and presumably the roots) to the conifer would make it especially tricky though.

What do you think?
pineresin
15 years ago
Sorry, I don't see much hope of separating the two, their root systems will be hopelessly interlocked.

Resin
themadhedger
Original Author
15 years ago
Oh, what a shame.

So would you advise just leaving them for now, or remove the oak?

Oak tree Vs Conifer - advice requested

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Oak tree Vs Conifer - advice requested

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