Tree Growth Rates

NewnorthernIrishgardener · March 2023

Hello gardeners world

i have planted 2 types of tree which are apparently very fast growing and just wanting to check if anyone here has any experience in these trees and will they grow to the rate google tells me

I have planted red oak trees (when i google growth rates i get anything from 2ft to 2 meters!!)

I have also planted aspen trees (when i google this i get 70 - 80cm per year)

I am in a clay rich area with well drained soil which is slightly acidic and southern facing

Silver surfer · March 2023

Red oaks grow to be huge trees...see link

There are several species of oaks called red oak.

https://www.google.com/search?q=quercus+rubra+tree&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiHqb7Inu39AhWnmicCHRLyDfQQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=quercus+rubra+tree&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQDDIFCAAQgAQyBggAEAgQHjIGCAAQCBAeOgcIABCxAxBDOgQIABBDOgQIABAeOgcIABCABBAYUN-aAljcxQJggtoCaAFwAHgEgAGgAYgBrAqSAQM0LjiYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ7ABAMABAQ&sclient=img&ei=8b8ZZMfsEae1nsEPkuS3oA8&bih=595&biw=1280&client=firefox-b-d

Aspen also get large but bad news is they sucker.

1. Quercus rubra...red oak.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/fd/qttzmu4brfdt.jpg

2. Populus tremulus...aspen.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/69/ayja6mk409aq.jpg

NewnorthernIrishgardener · March 2023

@Silver surfer That is perfect they are along a fairly exposed side of the garden and we are looking for as big as possible to provide some privacy, do you think the growth rates from google would be accurate? almost seems to fast to be true

the red oak is Quercus Rubra

Silver surfer · March 2023

Sorry cannot help re growth rate.

Slow-worm · March 2023

You can drive yourself mad with google, I'd just average all the numbers out and see how they go.

GardenerSuze · March 2023

When you purchase a tree or shrub the information given on growth rate is only given as a guide. Aspect, soil and where you live cannot be accurately calculated by the grower.
Possibly some expert advice from a professional arbouriculturalist?

robairdmacraignil · March 2023

2 metres in one year sounds like more than I would expect from oak trees. I have planted a good number of oaks as 2-3foot whips about 8 years back and most are now over 12 foot but some are still smaller and a couple have got a good bit larger than the average. Conditions in the spot where they are planted play a role with one of the smaller ones being in a spot with lots of competition and one of the biggest being near a water trough where a small leak gave it some extra water that seems to have allowed more growth. Don't have Aspen growing but have some Popular that are a close relative and these seem faster growing than the oak but are said to not live as long. As with many trees and shrubs the first year or two will usually have slower growth as the roots get settled.

Happy gardening!

Tree Growth Rates

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