![Greene, E.L., Illustrations of West American oaks, t. 36, fig. 1 (1889-1890) [G. Hansen]](https://i0.wp.com/tallcloverfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Garry-Oak-Botanical-Print-Quercus-garryana.jpg)
Last week in the greenhouse, I did notice my taproot-cramped Garry Oak seedlings were pining (so to speak) for a forever home in the ground. These wonderfully beautiful oaks, the only native oak to Washington, have a very limited range within the state. Surprisingly, the hand of man and woman created and encouraged the tree’s unique habitat and ecosystem. Indigenous people of the region would start brush fires to clear the understory around these oak groves. The annual practice promoted the growth of an important vegetative food source: camas tubers. As the practice declined, so did the range of the groves. Firs trees would quickly encroach and begin reforestation. Bye, bye Garry Oak? Not so fast…
I became more familiar with Garry Oaks on three occasions: first, my discovery of one massive tree here on Vashon Island; secondly, on a side trip to Marrowstone Island where I found a gnarly grove sidling the road on Indian Island (near Port Townsend); and finally, when I came across some striking south Sound groves on the way to Steilacoom.
Moved by their scarcity, beauty and native status, I started collecting Garry Oak seedlings as I found them for sale; first at the Chimacum Corner Farmstand, and then, here on Vashon at the Land Trust native plant sale. No fan of containers, the trees needed to be planted outside sooner than later. I chose the north end of my front field, flanking a handsome screen of firs.
For now, trust me, the arrows are pointing to some promising little transplants. I look forward to posting photos of the trees when you can actually seem them. As the proverb goes, “Great oaks from little acorns grow.” (Good thing I’m patient and hopefully long-lived.)
On clear nights, I can see the Big Dipper and North Star from my back porch. I thought it a fitting tribute to my favorite collection of stars to plant the oak seedlings in a similar formation. Neither perfectly spaced nor properly scaled, the grove will look just fine from eye level, plus this time, the stars will have something to gaze upon.
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I am certainly envious of your greenhouse and all it’s contents! I had one MANY years ago, but I could not afford to heat one here–the winters are way to harsh….so I live vicariously through others.
I love that you are adding some of those rare oaks to your place. And though you might not live to see them in their full glory, future folks will certainly enjoy and appreciate your efforts.
I have a terrible time getting my DH to understand that it’s important to plant for the future. He’s one that thinks if HE doesn’t see it grow up, why bother? I point out that the HUGE maples that line our drive (that HE enjoys so much!!!) were planted by someone that would never see them fully grown. Sometimes a wife has to point these things out–and no, it’s not nagging. LOL!
Have a wonderful week
Sue, you are so right. In fact, I’ve been percolating an idea for quite awhile, a blog post entitled “Yesterday, I Planted a Tree for Someone’s Tomorrow.” For I rarely go a week without thanking the stalwart farmers and pioneers who planted the treasure trove of trees I enjoy today, especially my hammock fenders, the Black Locusts. As for my greenhouse, I don’t heat mine, but then again our winters are mild, and it mainly extends the shoulder seasons of growing by a month or two. Here’s to the huge maples that line your drive and the one that has anchors mine!
I thank you, the future thanks you, and the overlighting spirit of the Garry Oak also surely thanks you, for planting these beauties! I was rather shocked to hear Sue’s observation about her husband not understanding the need to plant for the future. Perhaps it’s a non-gardener thing — and the world is less and less interested in gardens, I fear.
Years ago I talked with a USFS archeohistorian who was gathering evidence for native Americans as the ‘founders’ of the giant sequoia groves in California, as they burned underbrush to encourage acorn production by local oaks. ???
Wow, Kathy, that’s fascinating. Those Sequoia groves are imagination-benders, almost otherworldly. What a wonderful discovery to know ancient practices encouraged, if not secured the Sequoia’s existence, longevity, and remarkable size.
what a cool thing to do! they look so small when they go in and before you know it, you have decent sized trees. i learned this the hard way!
Yep Joyce, they are tiny little guys right now, so I’m eager to see how fast they grow (or not). 😉
Nice to see the greenhouse doing its thing. You have the Kingdome of hoop houses.
Good to hear your Garry oak arrived via the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust’s annual native plant sale. The Land Trust celebrates its 25th birthday this year. Heaven only knows how many trees and shrubs on the island got their start from land owners who bought them over the years at the January sale. It’s a very large number, I’m sure of that.
Gene, I also planted Sumac, grand firs, and vine maples from the sale. Look forward to their bursts of growth this summer.
In 1967 our family property was purchased on Salt Spring Island. When brush cutting the top acre to build the cottage, the man hired to do the clearing saw a tiny Garry Oak seedling, no bigger than yours, in the bottom corner of the acre. He chose to cut around rather than over the seeding (and did the same with two Grand Fir seedlings in a top corner). All these years later the tree is magnificent, a beautifully formed mature specimen about the size and shape of your example from Burton. The tree’s 50th birthday is now near. Well worth the wait. Must be time to bake a cake.
What a great story Mike. I love that what one man chose to do, created a beloved gift for many to enjoy for many a year. I have some Grand Fir seedlings myself. I can hear them now, “Get us out of these pots!”
A right treat, this post (oaks are one of my totems, so it’s always nice to come across a story about them). I recently read a book about forests and folklore/fairy tales, and one of the points the author kept making (she writes from and about Great Britain, but I assume her point is valid elsewhere in the world) is that woodlands do better with human intervention, as I suppose the story of the camas tubers shows. How lovely to plant out in constellations! Make sure that’s recorded somewhere in the historical annals of the island, so that, 150 years from now, people will still know about it.
Hi Anne, as you can see I share your love of oaks. The other day I realized I had planted about four varieties on the property without much thought; it just happened that I came across some handsome seedlings at various times — all of which found their way home with me, to be planted, nurtured, and loved. Currently I have the Garry Oaks, some low growing Deer Oak, a Shumard Oak (I think), and a mystery oak (to be determined). Warm regards, Tom
[…] new landscapes: conifer groves, dense stands of willow, a grove of big leaf maple, and even a young Garry oak prairie, one of the rarest habitats in the Puget Sound […]
Tom,
I just noticed your report about your Garry Oaks. I would love to see them. I think we were on the same track at the same time, because I also got a bunch of bare root garry oak specimens and planted them a few years ago. It likely was 2015, and now I have been adding to them with other oaks. You will have to see them sometime. Perhaps in 2035 when they are about 5 feet tall!
That was a good laugh Daniel, so true, so true. I have unfortunate news to report about the oaks. They died. We had a stinging hot spell and I didn’t water them enough and they baked in my front field. Perhaps they were in shock from the transplanting. I hope to plant some more, for now I have a couple unidentified oaks that survived, both purchased at a local plant sale. Keep me posted about your towering crew. 😉
I have a number of Garry Oak volunteers on my one third acre in Lacey, Washington. Seem to like my sandy soil. Also a nice grove of older oaks nearby. Also volunteer Madrona. Both beautiful trees!
Dan, mine didn’t make it unfortunately. My fault for not watering during an extremely hot week. I’ll give them another try very soon, and keep them watered during drought this time. That grove sounds lovely!
I’d love to plant a lot of Garry Oak trees if I could find some acorns. Nobody seems to sell them. And I don’t know where to find a tree on public land where I could gather some acorns. Do you know?
Hi Adam, my trees are still too young to bear acorns, but many conservation nurseries carry the seedlings in spring. Here’s a list of Washington State nurseries specializing in native plants: https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/stewardship/nw-yard-and-garden/native-plant-nurseries-washington.aspx Adam if I ever come across some acorns I’ll let you know. Here’s a site that sells the acorns, and it is likely they will be back in stock soon. Cheers, Tom Good luck and happy growing!
Hi Tom, it’s been 10 years since your Garry oak page but I’m hoping you’re still out there. I was just weeding out a border which contains a clump of Camas I planted several years ago, and I found an oak seedling of some sort hiding in the weeds. I don’t know how to tell what type of oak it is – there are no oaks in my area that I’m aware of (Blaine, WA) and your page was the first I came to in my research. I found it fascinating that you mentioned the indigenous people used to encourage the oaks to promote the growth of camas tubers, and here’s my oak surrounded by them! Perhaps they encourage each other, as I know that oak wasn’t there when I planted the camas.
I’m going to have to move the oak, it’s growing in the shade of a Dawn Redwood and other trees and I presume it would like a place in the sun? There is a second plant near it, much smaller, but the leaves look quite similar. I’ll plant it nearby. Maybe I should move some camas along with them?
Hope to hear from you or anyone who can give me some tips on encouraging these wonderful little (for now!) trees.
Hi Ronaye, what a wonderful discovery. The Garry oak has a range from Vancouver Island to Southern California, so your acorn may have arrived by squirrel burying it or Stellar Jay dropping or storing it. And because acorns float, maybe heavy winter rains sent it on a journey. And perhaps your oak is a cross between a Garry and another oak–that can happen too. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since I wrote that post about my Garry Oaks. My little grove is doing well, but man-o-man are they slow growers. I also had some determined deer grazing which didn’t help. For now the tallest is about 6.5 feet. Some have central leads and other are branched out in a shrub-like habit. I you do move it, be careful, and dig wide and deep so as not disturb the roots. Oaks are especially sensitive of being moved and may not survive the shock. Give them full sun if you can and water regularly to establish, but only if there is good drainage. I’ll be happy to save you some seeds when they produce acorns, but so far no acorns to harvest on these young trees. Good Luck! And thanks for reach out a decade later!
I’m thinking maybe I should leave it where it is for a few months until the heat of the summer has passed. The spot I have in mind for it is in full sun on the upside of a slope, so pretty dry in the summer. Would it be okay leaving it in the shade where it’s growing, or do you think I should pot it first? That way I could gradually move it into full sun (and keep it with the other pots that get regular water.) Thanks for any ideas.
I think your best bet is to wait until dormancy when all the leaves are off and then move it in the late autumn and replant it in its permanent place. Our winter/spring rains and cool temps will really help it survive.