The Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa, is the hardiest of the oaks. This tree grows to a mature size of approximately eighty feet tall and eighty feet wide. The bur oak is native to portions North America and can live for up to 300 years. The bur oak is very adaptable and can tolerate both wet and dry sites particularly the prairie--in fact, the bark is thick and gnarled as protection against the damages of prairie fires. This gnarled bark also adds a wonderful texture to the landscape especially in winter. The bur oak foliage turns a brilliant copper-bronze hue in the fall.
The bur oak requires full sun and performs best in a solitary setting or in a well spaced stand. Bur oaks grown in a solitary setting have exceptionally full branching some of which can arch low to the ground providing a whimsical, shady retreat for book reading or rest on a hot summer day. The bur oaks produce acorns and are very attractive to squirrels. The mess of these acorns may make this tree less suitable for formal landscapes or for use as street trees.
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