Oaks Archive

DocKalle Tree species resistant to global warming

Growing tree species resistant to global warming

Tree species resistant to global warming

A wonderful hobby: growing tree species that are resistant to global warming. It’s fun, it calms you down, you have the feeling of “doing something”, of making a small contribution to resilience. One thing is certain: native species are extremely important for supporting biodiversity. Unfortunately, it is also fairly certain that many native species will have a hard time in 30 or 40 years, as we need species that are adapted to the heat.

Whenever there is a bit of time, we indulge in this lovely hobby in the evenings and repot seedlings grown from seed. Many, many tree seedlings have made it, and climate warming-resistant tree species are now growing. Many oak species (including native species such as Quercus petraea, the sessile oak) but also several species from global “hot zones”. Quercus douglasii, for example (the blue oak from California), or Quercus faginea (the Portuguese oak). Tree species that are resistant to global warming will also be of great service to us here, even if they are still unfamiliar.

And a classic “secret weapon”. Castanea sativa, the sweet chestnut. It can cope with extreme heat and drought and has already made itself at home in southern Germany. Available here in our store, for example.

Many plant species are protected with sheep’s wool. This retains moisture for a very long time. Even tree species that are resistant to global warming initially require strong protection. Clay balls and vermiculite (a layered silicate used to loosen the soil and store moisture) are used for this purpose. The joy is particularly great when initially weak seedlings gain a big boost due to a change in the soil. Clay balls and vermiculite, for example, ensure that the soil becomes more permeable to oxygen (here is an interesting article on vermiculite: https://vermiculite.de/anwendungen/vermiculite-pflanzenzucht/gemueseanbau-und-blumenzucht/, coffee powder and goat manure, for example, provide much-needed nutrients (depending on the tree species).

I’m really looking forward to it: In the fall and winter, lots of fresh seeds are coming in, from all over the world. Heat-resistant, hardy, drought-resistant, including many acorn and oak species.

Tree species resistant to global warming

Acorns City climate suitable Climate Warming Resistant Oaks Unkategorisiert

DocKalle Oak species from California

27.7.2024: Oak species from California

Acorns and oak species from California

The first species for this year have been selected. In winter 2024, oak species come from California (in the form of acorns). E.g. Quercus lobata (Californian white oak), Quercus x jolonensis and Quercus douglasii (blue oak). This year also: Quercus kellogii (California black oak), Quercus wislizeni and Quercus chrysolepis (canyon oak). After a long, long search I finally managed to find someone who sends acorns of Quercus tomentella from California, but only a very limited number (100 pieces). Oak species from California are special because they are very well adapted to a warming climate. Quercus tomentella is a rarity that is difficult to obtain (see https://en.wikipe dia.org/wiki/Quercus_tomentella). This species originally only occurs on the Channel Islands off California and on “Guadelaupe Island”. This species is highly endangered. It forms hybrids with Querrcus chrysolepis. Quercus tomentella is also known as the island oak. The acorns will probably arrive here at the end of February/March 2025. Quercus kellogii can reach heights of up to 35 meters.
It can be found as far as the border with Mexico.
It grows on slopes at altitudes between 300 and 2400 meters.
It prefers drier soils.

Acorns Climate Warming Resistant Oaks

DocKalle Sheep's wool

Oak growth through sheep’s wool

Many oak species are grown here using sheep’s wool. Oak growth through sheep’s wool is impressive. Even Quercus dentata and Quercus suber grow excellently due to the phosphates in the wool.
We currently have 32 sheep and goats living on the farm. They provide peace and quiet in hectic everyday life, graze on wildflower meadows and enjoy the summer.
More of the four-legged friends were clipped today so that they can get through the year well, it can still be scorching hot.

Soil substrates for growing oak trees

Several repotted oaks, Quercus pyrenaica, Quercus suber, Quercus frainetto, Quercus macrocarpa, Quercus acerifolia, Quercus dentata, all benefit from oak growth through sheep wool. If they are large, they should help to cool the planet.
There is a lot of experimentation with soil substrates here. Sandy soil, loamy soil, lime substrate, sheep’s wool (retains moisture) and provides phosphates, coffee powder (makes the soil acidic) and well-seasoned horse manure.
Sometimes also chicken and duck manure, pig manure, etc.
It is so interesting how you can influence the growth of rare oak species. A science in itself. I’ll write a book about it one day. It is grounding (in the truest sense of the word) to have this hobby. You deal with the essential things of existence. How can life thrive, how do trees grow, what can be done to promote rare oak species? I’m always delighted when seedlings have grown a bit bigger again after a year.
And people peer curiously out of the poke baskets. These are now bursting at the seams 🙂

If you want to buy oaks: https://quercus.guru/shop/.

Soil substrates are available free of charge on request.

3 young storks above the oak station — Old stork

Oaks Unkategorisiert

DocKalle Buy oaks

Buy oaks. The sale of seedlings starts. 21.06.2024

Buying oak trees is now possible here. Small seedlings at first. We didn’t get rid of all the acorns last year, so many of them could be sown. The germination rate was very good (around 85%), at least if the soil mixture was properly cared for.

Buy oaks

In this first year, various species from Mexico, some from Asia and also species from the south of the USA are distributed, including some very rare bangers. We use the proceeds to cover the costs of our Brödel sanctuary in Melle and our climate and species protection measures(http://umweltschutz-und-lebenshilfe.de). In the fall, the sale of acorns of all kinds begins again. Take a look at our oak store: https://quercus.guru/shop/.