How old is oak tree before it produces acorns

Trees that find themselves in crowded stands often begin production later in life as a result of increased competition for fertilization between flowers.

And a study by the U. Forest Service found that oak trees in the central Appalachians produced bountiful acorn crops only once per decade. Depending on their species, the trees are 20 to 30 years old when they produce their first acorns. Even then, acorn production is not consistent from year to year. Larger canopied trees receiving more light produce more acorns than smaller trees in shadier conditions.

Is that a true statement or close to it? Thanks- Pap. I heard that before as well, but it's not true. My parents planted some white oak seedlings years ago. It took about 20 years before they had their first acorn crop.

It's been about 20 years for my white oak to flower, but only 15 years for my red oak. They are viable seed and I and the squirrels have germinated a good many off the one red oak. The white oak has not produced pollen yet. Depends on the tree sp and growing conditions.

I have seen some as fast as 10 years plenty around With the exceptiion of sawtooth oak, which can start producing them in 5 - 10 years or so. Com forum host. I've seen them as early as 5 years also. Hybrid white oaks can start as soon as 5 years, dwarf chinkapin oaks can start as early as 2 years old.

Under normal conditions, 20 years is the rule for acorn production. A span of only one or two years is between significant acorn crops after the tree matures.

Begin looking for pin oak acorns after the third week of August. The pin oak tree is hardy in U. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. The bur oak Quercus macrocarpa is a white oak that doesn't produce its first acorns until it is 35 years old. The span between a mature bur oak's abundant acorn crops is three to four years. The tree produces large acorns, and each one has a spiky cap that covers one-half of the acorn. Because of their size, bur oak acorns are a top food choice for deer, turkeys and other forest animals.

All the other trees, many are mature, have no acorns at all. I am curious if these Oaks are a special variety that does not produce acorns. Since they don't have acorns, how do they reproduce? Thank you for the information you provided about oak trees and lack of acorns.