Bur Oak, Burr Oak, Savanna Oak, Overcup Oak, Prairie Oak, Mossy-cup Oak, Mossy-overcup Oak, Blue Oak
Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak) is a majestic, long-lived deciduous tree with a massive trunk, stout horizontal branches, and a broad, open crown. Its large, leathery dark green leaves, up to 12 in. long (30 cm), are deeply divided into 5-9 rounded lobes and turn yellow to golden brown in fall. Inconspicuous yellow-green catkins appear in spring as the leaves emerge. The gray-brown bark becomes deeply ridged and furrowed with age, giving mature trees exceptional architectural character and winter interest.
Bur Oak is especially valuable for wildlife. Its large, rich brown acorns are eaten by deer, wild turkeys, wood ducks, jays, and numerous small mammals, while the broad canopy and strong branching structure provide nesting sites, shelter, and cover. Oaks also support a remarkable diversity of butterfly and moth larvae, helping sustain complex woodland, prairie, and savanna food webs. Bur Oak may take several decades to begin producing substantial acorn crops, but mature trees can become major wildlife resources. Top Native Texas Plants to Help Keep Birds Fed Through Every Season
The oak genus includes many beloved trees, such as Live Oak, White Oak, Red Oak, Blue Oak, Bur Oak, and Pin Oak.
Butterflies and moths associated with oaks include the Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), Edward’s Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album), Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius), and Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis).
| 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 | Blue Oak, Bur Oak, Burr Oak, Oak, Overcup Oak |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial 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) |
| Spacing | 720" - 960" (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, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Montana, Wyoming |
| Tolerances | Drought, Dry Soil, Clay Soil |
| Attracts | Butterflies, Birds |
| Garden Styles | Butterfly Garden, Pollinator Garden, Prairie and Meadow |
| Toxic to Humans | Low severity |
| Toxic to Cats | Not toxic |
| Toxic to Dogs | Not toxic |
| Toxic to Horses | Toxic |
| 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 | Blue Oak, Bur Oak, Burr Oak, Oak, Overcup Oak |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial 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) |
| Spacing | 720" - 960" (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, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Montana, Wyoming |
| Tolerances | Drought, Dry Soil, Clay Soil |
| Attracts | Butterflies, Birds |
| Garden Styles | Butterfly Garden, Pollinator Garden, Prairie and Meadow |
| Toxic to Humans | Low severity |
| Toxic to Cats | Not toxic |
| Toxic to Dogs | Not toxic |
| Toxic to Horses | Toxic |
How many Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
