Bur Oak
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Also known as Bur Oak, Burr Oak, Savanna Oak, Overcup Oak, Prairie Oak, Mossy-cup Oak, Mossy-overcup Oak, Blue Oak
The Quercus macrocarpa, bur oak, or mossycup oak 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.
BONAP MAP
Height: 60’-80’
Spread 60’-80’
Bloom: April
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low, Medium
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Origin: North America
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
