We live on the outskirts of College Station on 3 acres. In the past 10 years we've lost a handful of Post Oaks.
Most recently 2 directly in front of our house. We are Super careful to not disturb the area around them… but I guess they just die.

Question- has anyone ever bought and had planted a big Live Oak? We've planted a few smaller ones in the past but I Really want a Big mature looking tree in front of our house. I know it will cost real money. I also wonder what the chances are it will live.

Thanks for any thoughts.

I only have anecdotal evidence. Our neighbor put two big live oaks in. They lived for about 20 years but they didn't seem to have the root system necessary to support it. They looked beautiful but never grew.

The problem with transplanting a big oak tree is the root system. Their root systems can spread out up to 100 feet from the trunk. And, the tap root goes deep.

Moved some live oaks for a project in Austin (where else) about 8 years ago. Looking at streetview, they seem to be doing well. We kept alot of water on them during the first year or two to help them along. If I remember right, the tree moving group excavated around them, rammed the pipes under, used inflatable tubes to lift it, then slowly rolled it a few hundred yards. It was big money. I believe the photos are the beginning of the process of ex/lift for the tree. Cool process, but expensive.

I just put twelve live oaks. They were 7-8 caliper and 17 to 22 feet tall. Did it myself with my tractor and backhoe. Root ball was 4ft x 4ft x 3ft deep. Sounds like you are wanting bigger tho.....

He still has some i will likely get some more.

With acreage, I would just plant small ones and then plan to deep root water them. Auger some holes around the canopy drip line, so that water will go down and few feet. Fill holes with volcanic rock or expanded shale.

Post oaks don't last forever, but you will be surprised how fast young trees grow over 10 years if watered and fertilized well. Care goes a long way and will close the gap between planting a big tree vs small tree. Different type of Time expense between them though.

Where are you located? Who did you buy the trees from? Maybe a few of those would be better than 1 bigger one?!!

that's crazy. how much do you think that cost?

does it really take about 20 years for a live oak to start producing a lot of sweet sweet acorns to feed candy to the whitetails?

Looks like it was about $70k/tree in 2016.

I'm in Alvin. Bought the tree local from a guy that specifically expressed that he doesn't want to mess with a bunch of folks....

Message me. I can text you some pics of how mine turned out. Maybe I can get you some and install them depending on how many you wanted.

7won3
Ate1niner
6to3too