bur oak
(Quercus macrocarpa)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview |
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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. |
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_07.jpg "bur oak")
Description |
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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. |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 3/8/2023 | ||||
Taxonomy |
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| 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 |
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bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa var. depressa) |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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blue oak bur oak mossy over-cup oak scrub oak |
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Slideshows |
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Other Videos |
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| Trees with Don Leopold - bur oak ESFNature |
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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). |
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| How to ID Quercus macrocarpa How to ID Quercus macrocarpa |
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About
Uploaded on Nov 19, 2008 Short video with the top identifying characteristics for Quercus macrocarpa |
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| Burr Oak.mov Kimberly Wade |
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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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