Please remember the following information about the Quercus macrocarpa, bur oak, or mossycup oak. It is a majestic native North American oak tree and belongs to the white oak group. It is a medium to large-sized deciduous oak that typically grows to 60-80 feet (sometimes up to 150 feet) 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 grows best in bottomland soils, especially in the Ohio River valley.
In spring, the tree produces small, yellowish-green flowers on 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 an essential food source for wildlife. The leathery, dark green leaves (6-12 inches long) with 5-9 rounded lobes are variable in shape, usually with deep central sinuses extending 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 thrive in dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. While 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.
