Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae (Beech family)
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Wild / Native type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3a to 8b.
About This Tree
A massive, slow-growing, long-lived deciduous tree featuring a thick central trunk with deeply furrowed bark and a broad, spreading crown composed of heavy, irregular branches.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves with deep lobes, wider near the apex (fiddle-shaped), glossy dark green upper surfaces, and paler felted undersides. Wavy, lobed margins show reddish-brown scorching or curl in this specimen.
Bark Characteristics
Thick, dark gray to grayish-brown bark with deep vertical furrows and rough, blocky ridges providing excellent fire resistance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern and central North America, from southern Canada down to Texas.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid to late spring, flowers in spring with catkins, fruits in early autumn, and goes dormant in late autumn after leaf drop.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires Full Sun. Extremely drought-tolerant once established; prefers moist, well-drained loams but adapts well to clay, alkaline, and dry soils.
Mature Size
70 to 100 feet tall with a spread of 60 to 80 feet or more; slow to moderate growth rate; lifespan can exceed 200–400 years.
Special Characteristics
Produces distinctively large acorns with fringed, mossy caps. Highly resistant to drought, urban air pollution, and extreme cold, though susceptible to late spring frost burn, insect gallers, and oak wilt.
Wildlife & Ecology
Extremely valuable ecological species providing heavy acorn crops (mast) for deer, wild turkeys, blue jays, squirrels, and small mammals. Host plant for hundreds of native caterpillar species.