A partnership between San Juan Matching Tree Species with San Juan County County Cooperative Extension the Planting Site Cooperative Extension Service and San Juan College Tree selection and placement are two of the Bonnie Hopkins most important decisions a homeowner Agriculture Extension Agent makes when landscaping a new home or 213-A South Oliver Drive replacing a tree. Many trees have the Aztec NM 87410 potential to outlive those who plant them, sanjuanextension.nmsu.edu so the impact of this decision can last a [email protected] lifetime. Matching the tree to the site 505-334-9496 benefits both the tree and the homeowner. Marisa Y. Thompson, PhD Selection Factors Extension Horticulture Specialist Tree Function: What is the purpose of the Department of Extension Plant Sciences Shumard Oak Tree tree? Will it be valued for shade, or Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center landscape beautification? New Mexico State University Care Guide https://nmsudesertblooms.blogspot.com Scientific Name: Quercus shumardii Space Constraints: Is there adequate space Plant Description: A large, deciduous tree that has for the tree to mature? Plant trees 15-20 ft Adam Harrelson dark green leaves that turn to red leaves in the fall. away from overhead power lines and San Juan County Master Gardener Despite being a non-native variety, they are very drought tolerant. buildings. Avoiding planting too close to paved areas (3-4 ft minimum). More Resources: Sunlight Requirement: Full Sun NMSU Urban Horticulture Program Water requirement : Moderate Water Use Site Conditions: Will the tree variety thrive https://desertblooms.nmsu.edu/ Drought Tolerance: High in the available conditions? Growth Habit: Slow Growing; irregular crown Environmental Conditions: Will the tree “Tree Pruning Techniques” uniformity. 13-24” growth per year. Mature growth thrive in the available conditions in regards NMSU Extension Guide H-156 60-80ft tall with 40-60 ft spread to soil, water, and sunlight? https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H156.pdf Landscape Value: well suited for residential Typical Years to reach maturity: 25 years Variety Selection: Is the specific variety “Southwest Yard & Garden” Typical Life Expectancy: 100+ years recommended for your area? Weekly gardening column archives Ideal Planting Situation: Prefers alkaline soils; tolerates salt in soil. Management Needs: Does the tree variety for the past 23 years! https://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/yard/archives/index.html Maintenance Level: Low require significant management to thrive? Wind Resistance: High Are there major pest or disease concerns? Potential Considerations: • Plant at least 20 foot from any structure BE BOLD. Shape the Future. New Mexico State University Caring for Young Oak Trees Caring for Mature Oak Trees in New Mexico in New Mexico Planting: To prevent tree death from planting too Mature Tree Watering (>3 years after deep, the hole should be dug no deeper than the planting): Once trees are established, water root ball when measured from the bottom of the to a depth of 2-3 feet every time you water. root ball to the trunk flare (point where topmost Apply water at the canopy dripline and root emerges from the trunk). The width of the beyond, avoid watering close to the trunk. hole should be a least 2-3 times the diameter of Frequency: Water every 2-4 weeks in spring; the root ball to encourage for lateral root spread. A fibrous, woody mulch is every 1-3 weeks in summer; every 2-4 Remove container and carefully straighten any Mulch: recommended to help maintain soil moisture, weeks in fall; 6-8 weeks in winter, when circling roots so they grow out laterally from the reduce weedy species, among other benefits. possible base. Backfill hole with existing soil. No Spread mulch on top of soil around rooting fertilizers, rooting hormones, or other soil Pruning: Oaks need little pruning when the area and beyond at 2”-4” depth, but not amendments are recommended. Water site is carefully selected for mature size. touching the trunk. Check one week later to sufficiently to allow soil to settle and remove Prune intentionally to provide air circulation, be sure root ball has not settled too much and maintain a desirable shape, reduce the large air pockets. Trunk flare must be visible that the trunk flare is still visible. above the ground after soil has settled incidence of rubbing branches, and to remove Monitoring: Monitor landscape plants for dead or damaged branches. Pruning is best New Tree Watering: Excess moisture is bad for pests, diseases, or other ailments on a regular done in late winter to early spring for oak oak tree roots because it can cause root rot and basis. Protect the trunk especially where trees. Avoid pruning more than 30% of the can lead to secondary problems with pests or maintenance activities, such as mowing, may canopy in a single year. For more pruning diseases. However, rooting area of newly planted cause damage. Always read the label of any information, review the helpful resource trees must remain moist, not soggy. Frequency of pesticide or chemical treatment used. links on the back of this brochure. irrigations depends largely on soil type. Check soil moisture level before watering to be sure it is Typical Pests: No serious pest concerns. Minor Disease Potential: Reduce disease necessary. Water deeply enough to reach roots at concerns: Galls; Mites; Scales; Aphids; Boring susceptibility by watering wisely and Insects; Twig pruner; Leaf miners. the bottom of the planting hole. allowing soils to dry between irrigations, Disease Potential: No serious disease especially in poorly drained soils. Powdery Care: Newly planted trees in areas with high sun concerns. May be effected by powdery exposure should have the trunk protected during mildew, leaf blister, and canker diseases are mildew; Oak wilt; leaf blister. the winter using white paint (mix equal parts potential problems, but not common on white latex paint and water) or using a loose- healthy trees. fitting white wrapper - only when tree is dormant.

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is an engine for economic and community development in New Mexico, improving the lives of New Mexicans through academic, research, and Extension programs.

New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.