Quercus macrocarpa, Bur Oak

 

Bur Oak at sundown on the Anoka Sand Plain

 

Bur Oak Acorn and leaf

Bur Oaks are one of the great Midwestern trees. Often found in open savanna settings, sometimes an individual tree at the edge of the prairie, but also found in mixed deciduous forest -just as it is found at Shelterwood. Prefers upland and other well-drained sites. Where in mixed forest, it likely grew to maturity when the forest was thinned by a number of forces as it, as a young tree, does not compete well with other forest tree species.

Shelterwood's Bur Oak are 3-5 years old and are planted in 9 gallon grow bags for easy planting. Protect from herbivory with a hardware cloth or chicken wire fence until tall enough to avoid browse. Water deeply until established, especially during periods of drought. Mature Bur Oaks are drought-tolerant.

Blooms: greenish-yellow, May

Fruit: July to August

Height: 100 feet and as wide in wide open settings

Conditions: sun to pt sun, medium to dry soils

 

Bur Oak form -on the edge of the prairie.