How Long Does It Take Oak Trees to Grow?
The growth rate of oak trees varies depending on the species. Oak trees may be classified as deciduous or evergreen trees and grow at very slow or quite rapid paces. Some oak trees take nearly a century to reach their full heights, while others mature in half that time.
Oak trees, regardless of the species, need optimal growing conditions and proper care to reach their maximum height if grown in captivity. Oak trees prefer sunny locations, although most do well with partial shade too. They grow best in acidic soils that are well drained: oaks are vulnerable to overwatering because they have thin roots that are prone to disease and rot when exposed to excess moisture. Among the slowest-growing oak trees is the white oak. White oaks are deciduous species that may reach heights of 100 feet and take equally long to mature. White oaks produce new growth of 10 to 15 feet in a span of 10 to 12 years, and despite growing slowly, they enjoy long lives of over 100 years. Southern red oak trees, on the other hand, grow at moderate to fast rates, reaching full heights of 70 to 80 feet over a period of 20 years.
