Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa, also known as bur oak or mossycup oak, is a majestic native North American oak. It belongs to the white oak group and is typically a medium to large-sized deciduous oak that grows up to 60-80 feet (sometimes up to 150 feet) tall with a broad-spreading, rounded crown. The acorn cups are covered with a mossy scale or bur near the rim, which gives the oak its common name. This tree is native to various habitats in central and eastern North America, and it grows best in bottomland soils, especially in the Ohio River valley.

As the leaves emerge in spring, you can see insignificant monoecious yellowish-green flowers in separate male and female catkins. The fruits are oval acorns with fringed, burry cups that extend to approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of the acorn length. Acorns are a vital source of food for wildlife. The leathery, dark green leaves (6-12 inches long) with 5-9 rounded lobes are variable in shape but usually have a pair of deep central sinuses that extend nearly to the midrib, giving the leaf a waisted appearance. The fall color is an undistinguished yellow-brown. Sometimes, the twigs are ridged with corky wings.

Bur oaks proliferate in dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Although they prefer moist, well-drained loams, they can adapt to various soil conditions and have good drought tolerance. However, it may take up to 35 years for this tree to bear its first crop of acorns.