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Quercus macrocarpa (Bur oak)
1 hour care
per year
per year
15m
Max height
Max height
10m
Max spread
Max spread
50-100 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Quercus macrocarpa
Other names
Bur oak, Burr oak, Mossy cup oak, Mossy-cupped white oak
Genus
Quercus Quercus
Species
Q. macrocarpa - Q. macrocarpa is a slow-growing, spreading, deciduous tree with ridged, dark brown bark and oblong to ovate, glossy, dark green leaves with deep, irregular lobes, white-hairy beneath. Catkins of insignificant, yellow-green flowers in spring are followed by ovoid acorns with large, fringed cups.
Quercus macrocarpa is: Deciduous
Habit
Spreading
Toxicity
Acorns are edible only after tannins are leached or boiled out.
Flower
Yellow-green in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Yellow-brown in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Also: Knopper gall wasps
Specific pests
Aphids , Oak gall wasps Aphids , Oak gall wasps
Diseases
Also suffers from oak wilt in North America only.
Oak wilt , Powdery mildew Oak wilt , Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation methods
Grafting, Seed
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Where to grow
Quercus macrocarpa (Bur oak) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 10m after 50-100 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Low Maintenance, Specimen tree
Cultivation
Best grown in deep, well-drained or moist but well-drained, acid to neutral loam in full sun. Grows well in sandy soil. Tolerates light shade. Also tolerates drought and poor soil. A large oak suitable for residential areas, parks, and as a street tree.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Quercus macrocarpa
Other names
Bur oak, Burr oak, Mossy cup oak, Mossy-cupped white oak
Genus
Quercus Quercus
Species
Q. macrocarpa - Q. macrocarpa is a slow-growing, spreading, deciduous tree with ridged, dark brown bark and oblong to ovate, glossy, dark green leaves with deep, irregular lobes, white-hairy beneath. Catkins of insignificant, yellow-green flowers in spring are followed by ovoid acorns with large, fringed cups.
Native to
Eastern United States
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading
Toxicity
Acorns are edible only after tannins are leached or boiled out.
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Colour
Flower
Yellow-green in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Yellow-brown in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Also: Knopper gall wasps
Specific pests
Diseases
Also suffers from oak wilt in North America only.
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation methods
Grafting, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Quercus macrocarpa (Bur oak) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 10m after 50-100 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Low Maintenance, Specimen tree
Cultivation
Best grown in deep, well-drained or moist but well-drained, acid to neutral loam in full sun. Grows well in sandy soil. Tolerates light shade. Also tolerates drought and poor soil. A large oak suitable for residential areas, parks, and as a street tree.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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