North Shore Plant Club
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
|
|
| Deciduous Perennial Tree in the Fagaceae Family | |
|
Quercus macrocarpa, commonly known as the Bur Oak or Mossycup Oak, is a majestic, long-lived deciduous tree native to central North America. It is celebrated for its robust, imposing stature and distinctive features that set it apart from other oak species. The Bur Oak is characterized by its massive, broad-spreading crown that can reach up to 100 feet in height and 100 feet in width, creating a commanding presence in the landscape. Its trunk is thick and rugged, with deeply furrowed, gray bark that lends an air of age and strength. The leaves are large, dark green, and deeply lobed, providing abundant shade. One of the defining features of the Bur Oak is its acorns, which are the largest of any North American oak, measuring up to 2 inches in length. The acorn caps are covered in prominent, mossy-looking scales, giving the fruit a unique and textural appearance that earned the tree its "Mossycup" moniker. Beyond its ornamental appeal, the Bur Oak is prized for its adaptability and hardiness. It can thrive in a wide range of soil types and climates, from the prairies of the Midwest to the rocky soils of the Great Plains, making it a versatile choice for parks, large gardens, and naturalized landscapes. Its deep taproot and sturdy branches also make it resistant to drought and high winds. With its majestic stature, distinctive foliage and fruit, and remarkable resilience, the Bur Oak is a true icon of the North American landscape, commanding attention and admiration wherever it grows. |
|
| Why Like | Majestic native oak with broad-spreading crown found mostly in river valleys or low woods. Name comes from the fringed "bur" on the rim of the acorn cup. Acords are an important food source for animals. |
Plant Data | |
| Mature Size | 80 - 100 feet tall. 80 - 100 feet wide. |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun - Full Sun |
| Moisture Tolerance | Medium |
| Zones | 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F) |
| Tags | Deciduous, Full Sun, Full Sun, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Perennial, Tree |
| Animals That Use It |
Seeds: |
Awards |
|
Most Popular Plants |
|
|
"Tree" #5
|
|
More Info from Experts |
|
|
| |
|
Want More
photos of this plant? Try
Google Image Search!
|
|
Pricing and Availability HistoryClick a label to toggle visibility for that size
|
|
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.
Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.
Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:
Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.
To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.
Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!
We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.
Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!
