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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Quercus (garryana)

Lee Riley
Horticulturist
USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center
34963 Shoreview Road
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
541-915-7324
541-767-5709 (fax)
lee.riley@usda.gov
Family Scientific Name: Fagaceae
Family Common Name: Beech
Scientific Name: Quercus garryana
Common Name: Oregon white oak
Species Code: QUGA4
Ecotype: Rogue River-Siskiyou and Willamette National Forests, Oregon
General Distribution: This species is known from California, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia
Propagation Goal: Plants
Propagation Method: Seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 656 ml (40 in3) container
Time To Grow: 18 months
Target Specifications: Stock Type: Container seedling Root System: Firm plug in container.
Propagule Collection: Nuts are considered ripe when they separate freely from the acorn cap and fall from the tree. Care should be taken to collect local fruits, because they may be adapted to local environmental conditions. Viable nuts may be green to brown, and have unblemished walls. Nuts with discoloration or sticky exudates, and small holes caused by insect larvae, should be discarded
Propagule Processing: Quercus garryana nuts do not stored well. Fresh seeds can be surface dried, placed in plastic bags, and stored at 3 °C for up to 1 month. The nuts should not be allowed to dry completely. Nuts should be placed in stratification within 1 month following collection.

Empty and damaged nuts will float and are easily removed during soaking prior to stratification.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seeds are placed into a 1% hydrogen peroxide (3:1 water/3% hydrogen peroxide) soak for 24 hours, rinsed, and placed in aerated water for an additional 48 hours. The seeds are then placed on mesh-bottom trays, sealed in plastic bags, and placed in refrigeration at 1 to 3 °C for 60 days.
It is very important to check seeds weekly. If mold is evident, seeds should be treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide.
Germination may begin to occur during the stratification period. If radicles have started to emerge, the germinated seeds should be sown immediately.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 Seeds are directly sown into containers from stratification trays. Seeds are lightly covered with nursery grit.
Growing medium used is 40:20:20:20 peat:composted fir bark:perlite:pumice with Apex controlled release fertilizer (16N:5P2O5:10K2O with minors; 6 to 7 month release rate at 21C) at the rate of 3 g Apex per 656 ml container.
Establishment Phase: Germination and emergence can be extremely slow, somewhat uneven, and may take up to 4 to 5 weeks to be complete. Once the majority of germination has occurred, cells are fertilized for 3 weeks with soluble 12-2-14-6Ca-3Mg at 75 to 100 ppm.
Length of Establishment Phase: 5 to 6 weeks
Active Growth Phase: Quercus garryana is very slow growing, and will take up to 2 years to fill a container. During the first growing season, fertilization depends on weather and physiological needs. Soluble 20-9-20 NPK, 20-18-18 NPK, or 17-5-24 NPK at a range of 100 to 150 ppm is applied weekly throughout the growing season.
In the spring on the second growing season, seedlings are hand-fertilized with Apex controlled release fertilizer (16N:5P2O5:10K2O; 6 to 7 month release rate at 21C) at the rate of 3 gram Apex per 565 ml container. Throughout the remainder of the growing season, seedlings are fertilized weekly with soluble 20-9-20 NPK or 20-18-18 NPK at a rate of 150 ppm.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 18 weeks
Hardening Phase: No dry-down is done to induce dormancy. Seedlings are moved to an outdoor growing area in mid-September of the second growing season.
Length of Hardening Phase: 3 to 4 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Harvest Date: Mid-October
Storage Conditions: Seedlings are usually outplanted in fall. No storage except in outdoor growing area. Plants are well irrigated prior to shipping and shipped in containers.
Other Comments: Wetland classification: FACU
Oak seeds do not store well and consequently seeds should be planted soon after maturity
References: Dorena Genetic Resource Center Propagation Records, unpublished.

Wilkin D, Burgher J. 2009. Plant guide: Oregon oak Quercus garryana Dougl. ex Hook. Santa Barbara (CA): USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Data Center and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. URL: https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_quga4.pdf (accessed 11 Oct 2018).

Citation:

Riley, Lee E.; Klocke, Allison. 2018. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Quercus garryana Plants 656 ml (40 in3) container; USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center Cottage Grove, Oregon. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/02/24). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.