BUR OAK (Quercus macrocarpa)
a.k.a. MOSSY CUP OAK

HEIGHT/WIDTH AT MATURITY : 70-80’/60-70’ TYPICALLY 40-50’/30-40’ IN URBAN SETTING.
SOIL/SUN REQUIREMENTS : NATIVE SAVANNA; HIGHLY ADAPTABLE TO MANY SOIL CONDITIONS. BEST CITY OAK. PERFORMS BEST WITH FULL SUN AND SANDY LOAM SOIL.
BARK : ROUGH TEXTURE, DEEPLY RIDGED, SHADES OF GREY TO BROWN.
FALL COLOR : YELLOW TO BROWN. LEAVES MAY REMAIN ON TREE THROUGH WINTER FOR SOME SCREENING.
FRUIT : NUT (ACORN). MALE/FEMALE ON SAME TREE. SIGNIFICANT ACORN PRODUCTION USUALLY AFTER 15-30 YEARS.

The bur oak is a tree for people who like sculpture. A visual treat in any season, a mature bur oak reminds me of an exquisitely crafted work of art. Bur oaks have deeply fissured grey bark, softly lobed dark green leaves, and a picturesque outline in winter. When given enough space, they are oftentimes almost as wide as they are tall.

Bur oak is a Minnesota native. Contrary to what most people believe, oaks are not slow growing trees – when they’re young. They grow more slowly as they age; however, they grow quite quickly for the first 20-30 years. So you will live long enough to see an oak become a formidable tree.

In the urban forest, the bur oak is best suited as a focal point on large, open spaces. If you already have an oak, revel in your good fortune and thank the homeowner(s) who came before you. This is the tree around which landscapes are designed.

Young oaks have a deep taproot. They do not transplant easily, even when very small. Oaks are best planted in spring. Choose a stately specimen from your nursery of choice. As always, a smaller diameter tree will take less time to establish an adequate root system, so don’t be tempted by a larger tree. Be sure to keep it watered properly, especially the first three seasons. And remember – do not prune oaks during oak wilt season: April/May/June/July depending on the temperature.

Enjoy the benefits today; leave a legacy for the next generation; plant a BUR OAK this weekend!

Sources	Featured Tree Archive
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/qmacrocarpa.htm http://www.hcs.ohiostate.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/qu_carpa.html http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/subimages.cfm?sub=3329 Copyright Majestic Tree Care, Inc. February, 2006, All Rights Reserved	Ironwood