What is a burr oak tree?

Asked by: Adam Sampson

Bur oak is a large, deciduous tree with a very wide, open crown. Usually wider than tall, the tree can exceed 100 ft. in height and width. The massive trunk supports heavy, horizontal limbs and rough, deep-ridged bark. Leaves up to 9 inches long with a central midrib from which branch veins lead into rounded lobes.

Why is it called burr oak?

The bur oak gets its common name from the burr-like fringe bristles that grow on the cup of the acorns it produces; thankfully the acorns do not cling to fur or hair like burrs do.

What is burr oak good for?

In addition to its notable strength, the bur oak has other attributes that make it a spending landscape tree. It provides food for squirrels, dense shade, and is resistant to air pollution and heat stress.

Is burr oak the same as white oak?

bur oak, (Quercus macrocarpa), also spelled burr oak, also called mossy-cup oak, North American timber tree belonging to the white oak group of the genus Quercus in the beech family (Fagaceae), distributed primarily throughout the central United States.

Where do bur oak grow best?

The bur oak grows best on deep, dry, rich bottom lands. Its preference is for well drained sandy or clay loam soils. It also occurs on upland limestone soils and at the northern limits of its range, on shallow soil over granite bedrock. Trees maybe stunted on exposed shallow soils.

How do you identify a bur oak tree?

Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Bark thinner, lighter colored, and looking to be flaking off more. Bark more rugged: thicker, darker, and consisting of long, tough ridges, not as flakey. Side veins on leaves all make the same angle with the central vein, and proceed straight without curving. Foliage often paler in color.

Do bur oaks have acorns?

Plant Primer: Bur oak trees boast acorns that mature in autumn. The bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is a noble native tree. This oak has large (5- to 9-inch-long), dark-green leaves.

Are bur oaks messy?

A great addition to the suburban landscape, the mighty bur oak tree is great enough to be forgiven for the casual and occasional mess.

Is burr oak valuable?

Bur oak is very similar to white oak in its properties, therefore being more valuable than red oak. It is likely you wont get a lot for the log though, unless you get it milled, stacked and dried, then could sell the lumber for a decent price.

Do deer like bur oak acorns?

High tannic acid levels in some areas make them bitter, however. Bur Oak—Large acorn size, but the taste does not resemble the white oak. Deer probably think they are eating a white oak acorn and get fooled by this bitter deceiver. Live Oak—not preferred by deer.

Does bur oak have invasive roots?

Seedlings and saplings: Bur oak rapidly develops deep and wide-spreading roots. At the end of the 1st growing season, bur oak roots may reach 4.6 feet (1.4 m) deep and spread 2.54 feet (0.76 m) (review by [125]).

Should I prune bur oak tree?

Don’t prune Bur Oak during the growing season. While not as susceptible to Oak Wilt as those in the Red Oak Group, the disease can still damage stressed trees. Prune only during the dormant season in winter after the leaves have fallen.

What is the lifespan of a bur oak tree?

200–300 years

Yields acorns that are larger than most others, with a conspicuously fringed cap that extends about halfway down the nut. Lives for more than 200–300 years.

How tall will a bur oak be in 10 years?

In Iowa, 10-year d.b.h. growth of bur oak averaged 3.0 cm (1.2 in) for 10- to 20-cm (4- to 8-in) trees, 3.6 cm (1.4 in) for 25- to 36-cm (10- to 14-in) trees, 4.6 cm (1.8 in) for 41- to 51-cm (16- to 20-in) trees, and 5.6 cm (2.2 in) for trees 56 cm (22 in) and larger.

Are bur oak acorns edible?

ANSWER: Yes, apparently the Chippewa, the Ojibwa, the Dakota, the Ponca, the Winnebago, the Pawnee, the Cheyenne and the Omaha Indians all used the acorns of the Quercus macrocarpa (bur oak) as food as well as for medicinal purposes. The acorns were roasted or boiled or otherwise treated before eating.