Oak and hickory hardwoods have dominated our Midwest hardwood forests for thousands of years. They are the keystone species of our ecosystems, critical to quality biodiversity.
These majestic trees provide food for a broad variety of wildlife. In addition to their acorns and nuts, they attract protein-rich insects vital to songbird reproduction. Their dense and sturdy branching offers safe cover and nesting. A mixed herbaceous understory thrives in the vibrant soil under their dense canopy. Forest biodiversity declines as our forest composition changes with the increase of maple and beech understory. This has a direct correlation to reduced insect and bird populations and soil erosion.
There are hundreds of North American oak species, and this is due in part to their tendency to cross-pollinate. Most are large and deciduous. Each is polygamous, with male and female flowers on the same tree. Hickories, trees of the genus Carya, comprise a smaller group of about 25 species found in East Asia and North America.
Our new downloadable brochure covers some of our favorite oak and hickory species. Forrest Keeling offers each species, grown with our patented RPM-production technology, in various sizes, from bare root to 15-gallon.
Additional Information
NATIVE OAKS AND HICKORIES for conservation and agroforestry info packet