Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak)
Bur Oak, Burr Oak, Savanna Oak, Overcup Oak, Prairie Oak, Mossy-cup Oak, Mossy-overcup Oak, Blue Oak
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 source of food 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 regarded as 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 are susceptible to oak wilt, chestnut blight, shoestring root rot, anthracnose, oak leaf blister, cankers, leaf spots and powdery mildew.
- Toxic to horses.
- Native to the northern and central United States, southeastern Canada
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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 | Quercus - Oaks |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 60' – 80' (18m – 24m) |
Spread | 60' – 80' (18m – 24m) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Rocky Mountains, Montana, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Drought, Dry Soil |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
Andrew Sabai, Charles Curtis, Shutterstock
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.
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 | Quercus - Oaks |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 60' – 80' (18m – 24m) |
Spread | 60' – 80' (18m – 24m) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Rocky Mountains, Montana, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Drought, Dry Soil |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |