I just ordered a northern red oak and a white oak from the Tree Store. I was wondering how far apart I should plant them, and how far away from our house. I have never tried to grow trees before, so any advice you could give me to hopefully keep me from killing them would be great! I was especially wondering how much and how often to water them. I live in western Arkansas, not too far from the Oklahoma border.
First year or two in the ground I watered my arbor day trees every three or four days w/o rain over the summer, spring, and fall and every couple weeks it was above freezing over the winter. Our winters are decently moist so that didn't come up too often.
For safety when they're mature I'd try to get them a few feet from your house. The previous owners of my home put some white ash fifteen feet or so from the house. Great for shade in the summer but sometimes the overhang makes me nervous.
As far as how far to plant them apart it depends on what you want. I just sit on the porch and try to imagine my yard with the trees at various ages/sizes, and decide what will be best.