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Does anyone have experience with Mongolian Oak?

14 years ago

I collected a few dozen acorns from two local specimens and planted them once they began to sprout roots 2 weeks ago. The parent trees look very nice, produce copious amounts of acorns for wildlife, and are supposed to be extremely drought and cold hardy. The fact that they only reach 30 ft or so makes them sound like very good choices for maximizing yard space and leaving more planting sites for other trees.

Does anyone know what their growth rate is under ideal conditions? I was planning on bringing in the pots in early spring and placing them under growlights to accelerate growth, and then mulching and watering frequently the first few years.

Thanks!

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
link below... check the images side also ... look for an annual growth rate.. and presume it will continue to grow at that rate for the rest of your life... nothing really stops growing at some magical height ....

i would not 'force' trees.. indoors.. early ....

i would.. take them out of the pots.. and plant them where you want them to grow. ... and let mother earth take care of them ...

or if you have more than 3... one in soil.. one in a pot not forced.. and try forcing one... see where it gets you come this time next year ...

good luck

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: also flip to the images side
basic
14 years ago
Hi Nick,

Did you collect acorns from U of Minnesota arb tree? It was love at first sight for me and I ended buying a small Q. mongolica var. grosserata from Arbor Village. Unfortunately, it didn't make it past year one, so I don't have much useful information to offer. I referred to the NDSU handbook before buying mine, which says its growth rate is similar to Bur Oak. If that's true and based on my limited experience with Bur Oak, I'd guess the Mongolian Oak is going to be quite slow. The U of Minnesota tree was planted in the early 60's and is about 30'-35'.

Bob
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Just saw a bunch of these during a couple days on the western edge of the Big Thicket and don't believe one of them was growing straight... suspect it's an odd tendency they have. Even the ones in the linked photos are leaning a bit. Sorry no personal experience with them, but don't recall many with busted limbs or uprooted in the forest. A relatively uncommon yard tree in Dallas. The only one I know of in our immediate neighborhood is probably about 50+ years old and, though a beautiful tree, also has a pronounced tilt to the left. Might find more experience with these on the GW tree forum.
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pineresin
14 years ago
Don't rely on its remaining small; according to the Flora of China, it can reach 30m tall

Q. mongolica var. grosseserrata (note spelling!) is from Japan, and may be less hardy than var. mongolica.

Resin

Here is a link that might be useful: Flora of China: Quercus mongolica
nick_b79
Original Author
14 years ago
Yep, the trees at the MN Landscape Arboretum were the ones that caught my eye. There were so many acorns on the ground, I couldn't help myself but to collect a pocketful.

I've read info online comparing Mongolian oak growth rates to that of Bur oak as well, but I have seen some Bur oak saplings grow 1 ft or more per year under ideal conditions so maybe mulching and watering will speed these seedlings up a bit.

Thanks for the info!
basic
14 years ago
Duly noted, Resin, but I'm afraid soon to be forgotten.
leftwood
14 years ago
Most oaks, including bur oaks, grow fast (even 2 ft) when very young and depending on the conditions, but slow down rather quickly.

i would not force the trees indoors either.
Pamchesbay
14 years ago
I planted 200 oak seedlings in April 2008.

50 Swamp chestnut oak (Q. michauxii)
50 Nuttall oak (Q. nuttalli)
50 Cherrybark oak (Q. falcata v. pagodafolia)
50 Southern red oak (Q. falcata)

Average height was 12-16 inches when planted.

At least 25% of the trees are over 5 feet now. Q. falcata are leading the pack. Amazing growth, beyond expectations. Most of the Nuttall oaks have grown as wide as they are tall - very dense with lovely leaves. They will need pruning when they go dormant.

Our climate has mild temps but trees must survive long periods of strong winds out of the south. The drought ended this spring.

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