TreeRM

Bur oak

Quercus macrocarpa 路 Fagaceae 路 also Burr oak, Mossycup oak

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.

Broadleaf, loses its leaves in winterMedium growthFull sunLow water
Bur oak
Heath Cajandig, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it stands

Native

This tree evolved here, and local wildlife depends on it.

  • 馃嚭馃嚫 United States 路 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
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 AL, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 AR, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 LA, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 MS, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 NM, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 OK, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 TN, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 TX, United Statessource

Recommended

A city, utility or extension service lists it among the trees it approves for planting here.

  • 馃嚚馃嚘 Calgary, AB, Canada 路 On the City of Calgary Top Tree Species for Calgary listsource
  • 馃嚚馃嚘 Toronto, ON, Canada 路 On the City of Toronto Species Planted on Streets listsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Sacramento, CA, United States 路 On the Sacramento Tree Foundation Shady 80 recommended trees listsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 San Jose, CA, United States 路 On the Our City Forest Community Nursery tree species listsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Denver, CO, United States 路 On the Denver Office of the City Forester Approved Street Tree Listsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Washington, DC, United States 路 On the Casey Trees Tree Rebate eligible species listsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Boston, MA, United States 路 On the City of Boston Urban Forestry Division recommended public street trees listsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Austin, TX, United States 路 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
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Dallas, TX, United States 路 On the City of Dallas Article X Approved Tree Listsource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Houston, TX, United States 路 On the City of Houston Planning and Development Department Street Tree Listsource

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

ShadeWildlifeBirdsDrought tolerantLong livedStorm resistantStores carbon well

Good for

Street treeYard shadeparks

Watch out for

Large rootsMessy fruit