Botanical Name: Quercus macrocarpa
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Common Name: Bur Oak, Mossycup Oak  
Plant photo of: Quercus macrocarpa
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Water Saving Tip:

Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.

Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

40-60', 60-100'

 

Flower Color

Yellow

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green, Dark Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

Brown

 

Fruit Season

Fall, Persistent

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: JJ Neilson Arboretum
  • Description

  • Notes

Bur oak is a large, deciduous tree somewhat columnar in its youth, but growing broader with age; eventually reaching 50 to 80 feet tall and wide, though it has a slow rate of growth. Its leaves are large, deeply lobed, and dark green above and whitish, slightly furry undersides. Fall color is a yellowish brown. Brown spring catkins are followed by suprisingly small acorns with a mossy cap. The bark is a greyish brown, with older bark having a distinctive flakiness. An absolutely beautiful tree for shade or as a specimen. There is a lovely tree by the science building at Westminster College.