![]() ![]() At full maturity, the tree has a trunk diameter of more than 12 inches. ![]() It can take up to 20 years for a sapling to become a mature oak tree and produce its acorns. Oak trees have a reputation for growing exceptionally slowly. The pole continues to grow slowly until the oak tree becomes fully mature. The stage after sapling is known as a pole. In fact, only those saplings that have a trunk thickness of more than three inches survive. It takes several years for the sapling to grow into a mighty oak tree. When it becomes about three feet in height and has a trunk with a diameter of three inches, the sapling phase begins.ĭuring the entire growth process, the sun, soil, and rain play a very important role. It only grows 12 to 17 inches every year. The growth of the seedling is an incredibly slow process. The young seedling turns into a sapling, provided it doesn’t get eaten by animals or destroyed by human beings. The root, known as a tap root, provides a solid foundation for the seedling and also absorbs various nutrients from the soil to support the tree’s growth. While the roots from the acorn grow deep into the soil, the shoot starts appearing on the surface along with green leaves. If the acorn manages to survive on the ground, the embryo uses the moisture from the environment and the sunlight to germinate. There is a tree embryo present inside the acorns. For some oak trees, this takes place right during fall, whereas for others, it can be during spring. However, the time of year when acorns fall to the ground varies depending on the species. They land near the parent tree and start germinating, provided there are favorable soil conditions. Acorns usually fall to the ground in the autumn. Once they mature, the acorns start falling from the tree. The seeds inside the acorn take anywhere from 6 to 18 months to reach full maturity. Even though the female flowers have six ovules full of eggs, only a single ovum gets fertilized to produce an acorn. Pollen production lasts for about three to four days. Both insects and the wind play a critical part in the pollination process. However, the female flowers of an oak tree are usually pollinated by the pollen belonging to the male flowers of another tree. That’s why an oak tree isn’t well-known for its blossoms. They are usually located on the twigs near the base of emerging leaves and typically appear a week before the male flowers. ![]() The female flowers are comparatively smaller and cannot be seen with a naked eye. ![]() The flowers of an oak tree aren’t visually attractive. Springtime is ideal for the catkins to appear on the trees, and it’s not uncommon for the trees to experience a growth spurt during this time, especially after cold and harsh winters. The male flowers consist of stalk-like structures known as catkins. Flowering and PollinationĮach oak tree has both female and male flowers. The diameter of such acorns is more than one inch. In contrast, sawtooth oak produces acorns with scales and curls. For instance, the northern red oak produces egg-shaped acorns that are less than an inch in length. The structure of the acorns varies between species. The development of acorns takes place once the female flowers of the tree are pollinated. An acorn is the fruit of an oak tree and contains a seed inside. The journey of a mighty oak starts with an acorn. So here’s a quick overview of the oak tree life cycle to help you understand how these timeless beauties come into existence. Have you ever wondered about how oak trees grow? Known as Nature’s Greatest Survivor, every aspect of the life of an oak tree is fascinating. These trees not only look aesthetically pleasing but also offer several benefits to the environment. You can find over 80 species of oak trees across North America alone. Oak trees are some of the most majestic trees in the world and can live for over a hundred years. ![]()
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