Quercus macrocarpa - Bur Oak (also known as Burr Oak)

If you love the idea of having an Oak tree on your property but don't have the kind of acidic, moist, well-drained soils many Oaks prefer, a Bur Oak might be a good selection for you. Tolerant of most soils and even some of the conditions an urban area can have, a Bur Oak can reach 80' in height and an equal spread, providing shade for you, your children and your grandchildren. This selection has some difficulty in transplanting which may have to do with it's unusually deep tap root, especially when grown in sandy soils.

The coming of autumn won't give you a particularly stunning show from this tree; you can expect a lot of browns and some yellows when the leaves change color. One of the attractions I have for this tree is the unusual shape of it's foliage; almost as if the tree was in such a hurry putting out new growth it didn't have time to fuss over the details of symmetry or pointed tips. The Bur Oak's fringed acorns are also a point of interest.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 3-8

Deciduous

Height: 70-80'

Spread: up to 80'

Growth Rate: Slow

Soil: Adaptable to Many Soils

Bloom Time: Spring

Bloom Color:

Soil Moisture:

Sunlight Requirements:

Foliage Color:


A young Bur Oak
The lustrous leaf of a Bur Oak
   

Trees Related to the Bur Oak:

Quercus palustris - Pin Oak
Quercus alba - White Oak

Coniferous Trees | Deciduous Trees | Evergreen Shrubs | Deciduous Shrubs

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The information for this plant has been provided by Jeff Pozniak, of The Ground Trades Xchange.