If you are looking for a guide on how to grow trees, then look no further than Oklahoma. The state has plenty of experience and knowledge when it comes to growing trees, so you can be sure that any advice they give is sound. In this article, we will go over some of the more popular species of trees in Oklahoma and tell you what conditions they like best. If you live in the area or plan on moving here, there's never been a better time to learn about these beautiful specimens!
The Best Flowering Trees to Grow in Oklahoma
Dancing in the Dark Rose Tree
The Dancing in the Dark Rose Tree sparkles with dark red roses that flash black when reaching full maturity. It is a perennial rose that tolerates urban pollution and grows quickly. It has rich, vivid flowers and plants which also have a wonderful fragrance. Consequently, it can be grown as a border or street tree or turned into cuttings indoors, or to give as gifts from your garden. This cultivar grows without much upkeep, giving you a professional-looking garden with minimal effort. The Dancing in the Dark Rose will attract pollinators to your yard, meaning you may enjoy a wider variety of plants and flowers with the added benefit of higher-quality blooms. Plan for air circulation and watering if adding more trees to your yard or planting in containers.
Planting & Care
When selecting a location for your roses, it is important to ensure that they receive enough sunlight. When planting multiple trees, make sure to space the plants three feet from each other. The hole should be twice as wide and twice as deep as the root ball of the tree. Plant at the same depth with backfilling around the base. You will want to mulch so competition no longer exists in this area. A key element to successful Rose planting is properly watering the area. Check soil moisture often, preferably by hand. You can skip watering one week twice a year if you mulch adequately, mulching gives trees additional water and nutrition for growth. Fertilize your plant with an organic rose fertilizer. Use sterilized shears, and cut at the correct angle to promote new growth. Prune after the last hard freeze of spring in the early morning or late evening to prevent flower petals from wilting.
Muskogee Crape Myrtle Tree
Know someone looking for a tree with rich lavender-purple flowers and deep blue undertones? The Muskogee Crape Myrtle is the perfect one to consider. Available with six months of full blooms, it's no surprise this variety only lives up to its name. If you live in the south and want a sturdy Crape Myrtle, try Muskogee. Not only does it have vibrant blue flowers, but its leaves are less susceptible to moisture (including humid conditions) and don't need harsh sprays or treatments to thrive. Muskogees are one of the fastest-growing Crape Myrtle Trees because they have a full, upright shape and vibrant blooms. Muskogees grow in a wide variety of soils and are drought resistant, so you won’t always need to water them.
Planting & Care
Plant your Muskogee in full sun, well-drained soil that gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. Make a hole at least twice as wide and deep as where you want your tree to sit. Gently shake the root ball so that it covers more area around the roots before planting your tree. Cover up to about -just- where the trunk meets the ground with soil or mulch, but no higher than that. Be sure to tamp the soil lightly as you backfill, water when finished, and then mulch for moisture preservation. Crape Myrtles grow well with minimal rainfall. Young plants should be watered once or twice a week until they are established in the ground and can survive easily on rainwater alone if it has been dry for weeks at a time. In summer, monthly feedings of fertilizer that has high levels of Nitrogen will help to keep your tree greener longer. Prune young trees in the spring at four or five branches. Make a diagonal cut just below a pair of leaves at their point of attachment to the stem.
The Best Shade Trees in Oklahoma
Amberglow Redwood Tree
You may not be able to grow a Redwood tree in your yard as they are often too big. The Amberglow Redwood, however, breaks the mold and allows you to have all that is good about the ancient history and magnificence of these trees while still being small enough for your yard. The Amberglow is a variety of the deciduous Dawn Redwood, which means that this tree provides ornamental value regardless of the season. In the spring and summer, its leaves are bright green tipped with burgundy. Redwoods display attractive colors that are breathtaking all the time of year. With easy growth and lack of disease, this tree is unbeatable. Plus, its triangular shape provides shade without any effort on your part to do even more maintenance.
Planting & Care
To plant an amber glow redwood tree, make sure the soil is well-draining and in a spot that receives full sun. Place the roots of a newly transplanted tree so they're twice as wide and go down just as deep. Mulch should be placed around the perimeter of trees because this will help retain moisture. You'll need to make sure your Amberglow Redwood is getting at least one inch of water a week. You might need to provide more in dry or drought-prone climates.
Autumn Gold Ginkgo Tree
Growing the Ginkgo offers benefits like light relief, with diverse colors all year long: Pretty green throughout most of the year and brilliantly golden yellow during the fall season. Autumn Gold's open branching means that you see more color than other varieties, and this translates to weeks of unmatched color in your landscape. The Autumn Gold builds off Ginkgo's reputable reputation. The Ginkgo is one of the world's oldest trees and can survive in different types of soil, urban areas, or in rural regions with little care given to it. In addition, this variety of ginkgo trees doesn't produce a foul-smelling odor like the typical varieties. Not only do you get evenly spaced and symmetric branches not seen in ordinary trees, but you also won't have to contend with the Ginkgo's unpleasant smell.
Planting & Care
First, prepare an area with at least six hours of sunlight and well-drained soil. Dig a hole two to three times wider than your tree’s root ball, then backfill the dirt around it. To keep your tree healthy, there are several steps you can take. First, make sure the soil is moist to a depth of 2-3 inches around your tree. It might be easy to forget sometimes if you have an irrigation system in place so keep an eye on it or feel the ground by gently pressing down with your fingertips. If it feels dry then stop reading and give them some water. Remove dead or damaged branches of trees during the winter.
The Best Fruit Trees in Oklahoma
Fuji Apple Tree
The Fuji apple is a cross between the Red Delicious and Virginia Ralls Genet, which is one of the most popular varieties of apples in the United States. As with other apple trees, it will require another variety that blooms at about the same time to be able to cross-pollinate and produce fruit. However, having more trees means that you can indulge in a larger crop of apples! Fuji Red Fruits have a long history in Oklahoma, and they are known for having excellent quality. Their versatility makes them perfect for planting. It produces crisp, super sweet apples – the perfect snack. The tree is grown in your backyard and has never been easier to protect for seeds than with our protective kits.
Planting & Care
Once you have found a spot in full to part sun, with well-drained soil, it's time to plant. Make your planting hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball of the tree, then comb free any roots from the root ball before placing it back into its new home. After watering the newly planted site, make sure to refill and tamp down any dirt as you go. Then spread a layer of mulch around the area to keep grass from growing. Ensure that there is enough space between the trunk and your mulch for it not to be touching them both. It is important to water your Fuji apple tree on a regular schedule, however, you may need to increase the frequency depending on environmental conditions. If you're not sure when to irrigate, check the surrounding soil for dryness and also pay close attention to its canopy's height over time. If it has increased dramatically since previous observation or has fallen off entirely then it could be due to watering. Once your tree has become established and bears fruit, periodic pruning is needed to keep the tree healthy. Be sure to prune during times of dormancy or cold weather and remove any upright stems in the upper portion of the tree. Weak branches should also be removed for best results.
Bonfire Patio Peach Tree
The Bonfire Patio Peach Tree features the perfect name since it not only offers lovely, noteworthy color to a yard but also delicious peaches without taking up too much space. The best method for serving this dish is in individual bowls set beside tiny glasses of red wine and flecked with sliced lemon zest at room temperature. And while the Bonfire Patio Peach is a small variety at only 4-5ft. tall, its delicious peaches are succulent and large enough to warrant use in baking or snacking on as they appear.
Planting & Care
If you are planting your tree in the ground, carefully excavate a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just slightly shallower than 2 feet deep. If it is set too deep into the dirt it will not be able to grow properly. Dig toward each side of the trunk (like an upside-down T) so that roots from all sides can come down. Begin backfilling by placing soil tightly around the excavated area with careful attention to roots on top and beneath them. Water thoroughly and keep consistent watering for at least 1 year before replacing mulch or adding more fertilizer. The easiest way to plant is to use a container. Ensure the pot is twice as big as your Bonfire container and has plenty of holes on the bottom for drainage. Pick a sunny location, either in your backyard or near your front or side yard. Keep water near your peach tree. Once a week, leave a hose at the base of the tree for two hours to provide moist soil and water it again after an hour if you're experiencing extreme heat. This will ensure that your tree doesn’t dry out or turn yellow; this is due to overwatering or underwatering. Tree fertilizer should be applied in the spring and late summer and fall. If fertilizing a peach Bonfire tree, be sure to prune it in winter when leaves are not budded yet.
When is The Best Time to Plant Trees in Oklahoma
The best season to plant trees in Oklahoma is late winter or early spring. Planting trees outside of this time can lead to them getting sunburned and damaged.
Can You Plant All Season Long?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Planting all season long in Oklahoma is not possible. It is because the tree needs to go dormant in the hot summer months. You can't plant a new tree while it is growing and expanding its root system, or else you will risk damaging the delicate roots that are essential for future growth.
What are The Best Trees to Plant Each Season in Oklahoma
Springtime
The best trees to plant in the spring are fruit trees such as apple, pear, and cherry trees.
Summertime
The best trees to plant in the summer are shade-tolerant plants like elms or cedars that can provide better shelter from high temperatures.
Fall time
Fall is when you should be planting most deciduous tree species that will lose their leaves for winter protection. These include oaks, maples, ashes, and birches among others.
Wintertime
It's too cold to plant any kind of tree during these months.
What Trees Have The Least Invasive Roots in Oklahoma
The least invasive trees in Oklahoma are the Redbud, Honeylocust, Mulberry, and Sycamore trees. The redbud tree has the least invasive root system in Oklahoma because it is not a strong growing tree that needs to spread its roots out to get water and nutrients. The Honeylocust also does not have much of an aggressive root system so it will need less watering than other trees like Oak or Maple which are more common for landscaping purposes in Oklahoma.
