Oak, Bur on Bicolor

Quercus macrocarpa

Height: 60-80ft
Spread: 60-80ft
Zone: 3-8
Exposure: Full sun
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Bloom Time/Color: N/A
Fall Color: N/A
Uses: Shade tree, park tree
Maintenance: Low
Tree Shape: Irregular, round
Other: Attracts wildlife

Bur oak is named after its large acorns with gnarled caps and is one of the most commanding oaks in the Midwestern landscape. It is a very large, irregularly rounded tree that is covered in leathery, dark green lobed foliage for the majority of the growing season before turning an undistinguished mix of yellows and browns. Bur oaks also have very attractive, fissured grey bark that adds texture to the landscape. Acorns are abundant in maturity (takes up to 35 years to start producing) and are an excellent source of food for wildlife. In this case, bur oak scions have been grafted to swamp white oak rootstocks allowing the trees to grow in acidic, moist soils in full sun. Thanks to the rootstock, these bur oaks display greater tolerance to drought, clay, wet soils, alkalinity, salts, and other urban growing conditions. A very durable and long-lived tree.

Quercus macrocarpa and Quercus bicolor are Iowa natives.