Does Oak tree have growth suppressant ?

[PaulZone8b]

I was told that oak trees (like black walnut) have a growth suppressant to prevent things from growing...so I am wondering about wood chips from ChipDrop from Oak trees. I have a garden and wouldn't want to place the wrong tree chips in the garden.

Plus, we have a big Oak tree that nothing grows under it and thinking about planting some "shade" tolerant shrubs and flowers...but if the Oak is putting some suppressant out...those will die too. We did plant a couple of boxwoods under there a couple years ago which died too.

 

[Anniekay]

I think it depends on what type oak tree that you're dealing with. For instance, grass grows up to the trunk of my oaks which are white oaks and one red oak. But,... the red oak has such a massively weaved together root system that you can't get through the roots to find a spot to plant in, whereas the white have goodsized deep pockets a few feet from the trunk and I will be transplanting fern from my shade garden over to the bases of those trees in fall.
Best probably to find out what kind oak it is and see how it's root system grows before planting under it.

 

[YumYum]

Black walnut trees do contain juglone which inhibits certain plants only, not all. Oak trees do not and are a totally different tree. It is probably too shady under it to grow certain things.

 

[cpp gardener]

Nothing chemical, only physical and competitive.

 

[Meadowlark]

Many sources as well as AI, do not agree with @cpp gardener post above including my own experience which indicates they do have allelopathic effects, albeit to a lesser extent than some others.


"Oak trees (Quercus species) can exhibit allelopathic effects on surrounding plants. Allelopathy refers to the production of chemicals by one plant that inhibit the growth of others nearby. In the case of oak trees, tannins are an important group of chemicals they produce, which can influence neighboring vegetation. However, it’s essential to note that oak trees are less allelopathic than certain other species, such as black walnut"

 

[PaulZone8b]

Thanks ML, I agree. When nothing not even grass grows underneath our oaks...something must be up

 

[Mystic Moon Tree]

Oak trees aren't truely allelopathic like walnuts are, but they produce very tanin rich soils & not all plants can grow in that environment. So, if you have oak trees you need to plant plants that guild well in that ecosystem or else plant in raised beds, or pots about 8 feet from the base of the tree so as not to compact the soil or overwater the roots & kill the oak tree. Oak tree chips are fine for tanin loving plants. So far I have found that these plants can grow under oak: Dogwood, rose, lemon balm, fine fescue, moss, kentucky bluegrass, lettuce, chard, mulien, wild iris, sweet woodruff, plantain (plantago major), virginia pepper plant, vervain, thyme, rose champion, wood sorrel, etc. Also, walnut guild is: Black haw(snowball bush), vinca, lemon verbena, rose champion, & cleavers.

 

[PaulZone8b]

Thanks. I found some things online about that and should add LIME to the soil to help neutralize the acidic soil caused from the tannins.... so you can plant things under and around.

 

[Mystic Moon Tree]

Be careful not to add too much or you could end up killing your oak tree.