bur oak

(Quercus macrocarpa)

Overview
bur oak
 
 

Bur oak is found in the central and eastern United States and in southern Canada.

Bur oak is hardy and well-suited to a wide range of growing conditions. It can tolerate drought, cold temperatures, and poor soil, and is often used in urban landscapes because of its adaptability and attractive appearance. It is also valued for its wood, which is used in furniture making, flooring, and construction.

 
           
 
Description
 
 

Bur oak is a large tree that can grow up to 100 feet tall, although it typically reaches a height of 60 to 80 feet. Its trunk can be up to 3 feet in diameter. It has a deep taproot and a spreading network of lateral roots.

The bark is thick, rough, and deeply furrowed, with a grayish-brown color. It can become ridged and plated with age.

The leaves are deciduous, dark green, glossy, and leathery. They are spatula-shaped and deeply lobed, with 5 to 9 rounded lobes on each side. They can be up to 12 inches long and 10 inches wide. In the fall, the leaves turn a yellow to brownish-red color.

Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. The male flowers are small, green, and hang in long clusters. Female flowers are on short spikes and are much smaller and less conspicuous.

The fruit is a large round acorn, up to 2 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. It is enclosed in a deep, fringed cup that can be up to 2 inches in diameter. The cup is covered in overlapping scales that give it a distinctive appearance.

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30.

 
  3/8/2023      
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Kingdom Plantae (green algae and land plants)  
  Subkingdom Viridiplantae (green plants)  
  Infrakingdom Streptophyta (land plants and green algae)  
  Superdivision Embryophyta (land plants)  
  Division Tracheophyta (vascular plants)  
  Subdivision Spermatophytina (seed plants)  
  Class Magnoliopsida (flowering plants)  
  Superorder Rosanae  
 

Order

Fagales (beeches, oaks, walnuts, and allies)  
 

Family

Fagaceae (beech)  
  Subfamily Fagoideae  
 

Genus

Quercus (oaks)  
  Subgenus Quercus (high-latitude oaks)  
  Section Quercus (white oaks)  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa var. depressa)

bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa var. macrocarpa)

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

blue oak

bur oak

mossy over-cup oak

scrub oak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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Other Videos
 
  Trees with Don Leopold - bur oak
ESFNature
 
   
 
About

Published on Dec 12, 2013

Don Leopold demonstrates the characteristics of bur oak.

Content produced by Christopher Baycura for the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF).

   
  How to ID Quercus macrocarpa
How to ID Quercus macrocarpa
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Nov 19, 2008

Short video with the top identifying characteristics for Quercus macrocarpa

   
  Burr Oak.mov
Kimberly Wade
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Sep 9, 2010

Richard Weber, owner of Springhouse Gardens, talked about the Burr Oak during a Tree Walk hosted at The Lexington Cemetery. The Lexington Cemetery is home to more than 200 species of trees.

   

 

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