851-1 BR Oak-Bur (Packed In Units of 25 Seedlings)

The bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is a large, long-lived deciduous tree native to North America, known for its massive size, thick, fire-resistant bark, and distinctive, fringed acorns—the largest of any native North American oak. It is also known as the mossycup oak.

Key Characteristics

Size and Form: At maturity, the bur oak typically grows 60–80 feet (18–24 meters) tall with a broad, rounded, and spreading crown that can be as wide as its height. In optimal conditions, it can reach up to 100 feet in height or more.

Leaves: The leaves are large, leathery, and dark green, with a highly variable shape. They are generally obovate (broadest near the tip) and have five to nine lobes, with a pair of deep sinuses near the middle giving them a ""fiddle shape"".

Acorns: The most distinguishing feature is its fruit. The acorns are large (1 to 2 inches long) and set in a deep, cup-shaped cap that is covered in a coarse, fringed or ""burry"" margin, giving the tree its common name.

Bark and Twigs: Mature trees have thick, deeply furrowed, dark gray bark, which is highly resistant to fire. The twigs sometimes develop distinctive corky ridges or ""wings"".

Growth Rate and Longevity: The bur oak is a slow-growing tree but is exceptionally long-lived, commonly reaching ages of 200 to 300 years, and occasionally up to 400 years.