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Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak)

Bur Oak, Burr Oak, Savanna Oak, Overcup Oak, Prairie Oak, Mossy-cup Oak, Mossy-overcup Oak, Blue Oak

Quercus macrocarpa, Bur Oak, Burr Oak, Savanna Oak, Overcup Oak, Prairie Oak, Mossy-cup Oak, Mossy-overcup Oak, Blue Oak, Tree with fall color, Fall color, Attractive bark Tree
Quercus macrocarpa, Bur Oak, Burr Oak, Savanna Oak, Overcup Oak, Prairie Oak, Mossy-cup Oak, Mossy-overcup Oak, Blue Oak, Tree with fall color, Fall color, Attractive bark Tree

Majestic, Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak) is a large deciduous tree adorned with a very wide, open crown. The foliage of leathery, dark green, 5-9 lobed leaves, 12 in. long (30 cm), turns yellow to golden brown in the fall. Inconspicuous yellow-green catkins appear in spring as the leaves emerge. The massive trunk and horizontal stout branches, with their gray-brown, deeply ridged, and furrowed bark, provide architectural elegance and winter interest. The rich brown, oval acorns are a valuable food source for small mammals and birds, but Bur Oak may take up to 35 years before the first crop of acorns is produced. It is an excellent shade or lawn tree for large areas and is a great choice for Western gardens.

  • Grows up to 60-80 ft. tall and wide (18-24 m).
  • A full sun lover, this tree is easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions. Drought tolerant.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant.
  • Oaks, in general, are susceptible to oak wilt, chestnut blight, shoestring root rot, anthracnose, oak leaf blister, canker, leaf spot, powdery mildew, scale, oak skeletonizer, leaf miner, galls, oak lace bugs, borers, caterpillars and nut weevils.
  • Toxic to horses.
  • Native to the northern and central United States, southeastern Canada

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, A2, A3
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Fagaceae
Genus Quercus
Common names Overcup Oak, Burr Oak, Bur Oak, Blue Oak, Oak
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 60' - 80'
(18.3m - 24.4m)
Spread 60' - 80'
(18.3m - 24.4m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Michigan, Indiana, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil, Clay Soil
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Quercus douglasii (Blue Oak)
Quercus chrysolepis (Canyon Live Oak)
Quercus myrtifolia (Myrtle Oak)
Quercus velutina (Black Oak)
Quercus laurifolia (Laurel Oak)
Quercus phellos (Willow Oak)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Roots of Life: Exploring the Diverse World of Trees
Green Canopy, Better World: Exploring the Benefits of Trees
Trees that Invite Wildlife to Your Garden
Spectacular Trees for Vibrant Fall Colors: A Gardener’s Guide
Quercus (Oak) – Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For
Grow Your Own Oak Tree: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Acorns
8 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Plant an Oak Tree
Native Oak Trees: A Must-Have for Your Landscape
Native Plant Alternatives to Quercus acutissima (Sawtooth Oak)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, A2, A3
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Fagaceae
Genus Quercus
Common names Overcup Oak, Burr Oak, Bur Oak, Blue Oak, Oak
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 60' - 80'
(18.3m - 24.4m)
Spread 60' - 80'
(18.3m - 24.4m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Michigan, Indiana, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil, Clay Soil
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
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Do I Need?
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Quercus (Oak)
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