{"slug":"quercus-macrocarpa","scientific_name":"Quercus macrocarpa","common_names":["Bur oak","Burr oak","Mossycup oak"],"family":"Fagaceae","type":"broadleaf_deciduous","mature_height_m":22,"mature_spread_m":18,"growth_rate":"medium","lifespan_years":300,"hardiness_zones":[3,8],"sun":"full","water":"low","soil":"Deep soils preferred; tolerates clay, limestone, caliche and alkaline conditions better than most oaks","native_range":"Central and eastern North America from Saskatchewan and New Brunswick south to Texas","description":"A massive, long-lived white oak with huge leaves, thick corky bark and golf-ball-sized acorns in fringed cups. It grows faster than its reputation suggests and tolerates lime soils, drought, heat and urban pollution. Give it room: it can exceed 70 feet tall and wide.","care":"Needs deep soil and a big open space; avoid planting over shallow rock or near foundations. Water deeply during the first two summers and in extended drought afterward. Resistant to oak wilt, so pruning timing is less critical, but keep construction and trenching out of the root zone. Acorns are large and can be a nuisance on patios and sidewalks.","benefits":["shade","wildlife","birds","drought_tolerant","long_lived","storm_resistant","carbon"],"uses":["street_tree","yard_shade","parks"],"cautions":["large_roots","messy_fruit"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Big_Tree_with_spring_picnic.jpg","image_credit":"Heath Cajandig, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons","sources":["https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUMA2","https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUMA2","https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/quercus-macrocarpa/","https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/oak-bur","https://www.treefolks.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NeighborWoodsTreeMenu-2026.pdf","https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/quemac/all.html"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/quercus-macrocarpa","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/quercus-macrocarpa.md","regions":[{"country":"US","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Also native in: CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY (USDA PLANTS distribution)","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUMA2"},{"country":"US","region":"AL","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUMA2"},{"country":"US","region":"AR","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUMA2"},{"country":"US","region":"LA","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUMA2"},{"country":"US","region":"MS","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUMA2"},{"country":"US","region":"NM","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUMA2"},{"country":"US","region":"OK","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUMA2"},{"country":"US","region":"TN","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUMA2"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/QUMA2"},{"country":"CA","region":"AB","locality":"Calgary","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Calgary Top Tree Species for Calgary list","source_url":"https://www.calgary.ca/parks/trees/top-species-for-calgary.html"},{"country":"CA","region":"ON","locality":"Toronto","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Toronto Species Planted on Streets list","source_url":"https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/trees/tree-planting/species-planted-on-streets/"},{"country":"US","region":"CA","locality":"Sacramento","status":"recommended","note":"On the Sacramento Tree Foundation Shady 80 recommended trees list","source_url":"https://sactree.org/best-trees-for-sacramento/"},{"country":"US","region":"CA","locality":"San Jose","status":"recommended","note":"On the Our City Forest Community Nursery tree species list","source_url":"https://www.ourcityforest.org/nursery-species"},{"country":"US","region":"CO","locality":"Denver","status":"recommended","note":"On the Denver Office of the City Forester Approved Street Tree List","source_url":"https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/747/documents/forestry/Street_tree_guide.pdf"},{"country":"US","region":"DC","locality":"Washington","status":"recommended","note":"On the Casey Trees Tree Rebate eligible species list","source_url":"https://caseytrees.org/rebate"},{"country":"US","region":"MA","locality":"Boston","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Boston Urban Forestry Division recommended public street trees list","source_url":"https://www.boston.gov/urban-forestry-division"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":"Austin","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Austin Grow Green native and adapted plant list (Watershed Protection). Listed as 'Oak, Bur'; very low water needs, provide plenty of space and deep soil.","source_url":"https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/oak-bur"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":"Dallas","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Dallas Article X Approved Tree List","source_url":"https://dallas.gov/departments/sustainabledevelopment/buildinginspection/DCH%20documents/pdf/BI_Approved%20Tree%20List.pdf"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":"Houston","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Houston Planning and Development Department Street Tree List","source_url":"https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/DevelopRegs/StreetTree_files/StreetTree.xlsx"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}