Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak)

Majestic, Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak) is a large deciduous tree adorned with a very wide, open crown. The foliage of leathery, dark green, 5-9 lobed leaves, 12 in. long (30 cm), turns yellow to golden brown in the fall. Inconspicuous yellow-green catkins appear in spring as the leaves emerge. The massive trunk and horizontal stout branches, with their gray-brown, deeply ridged and furrowed bark, provide architectural elegance and winter interest. The rich brown, oval acorns are a valuable source of food for small mammals and birds, but Bur Oak may take up to 35 years before the first crop of acorns is produced. It is an excellent shade or lawn tree for large areas and is regarded as a great choice for Western gardens.

• Grows up to 60-80 ft. tall and wide (18-24 m).
• A full sun lover, this tree is easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions. Drought tolerant.
• Perfect as a specimen plant.
• Oaks are susceptible to oak wilt, chestnut blight, shoestring root rot, anthracnose, oak leaf blister, cankers, leaf spots and powdery mildew.
• Toxic to horses.
• Native to the northern and central United States, southeastern Canada