Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)

Location and Notable Facts

  • Other names
    •  Mossy Cup Oak
  • Scientific Family
    • Fagaceae  (Beech Family)
  • Discovery
    •  N/A
  • Size (Width/Height/Growth/DBH)
    •  Rarely exceeds 80 feet in height and can get up to 6 feet or more in DBH
  • Colors
    • N/A
  • Bloom/Seed/Fruit
    • Acorn covered in a fringed cup. This acorn is the largest of any other oak species in the state. Often 1.5 inches or more in diameter.
  • Leaf Arrangement
    • Simple and alternate
    • 6-12 inches long and 3-6 inches wide

bur_oak1

Photo credit to Illinois Wildflowers

  • Bark Arrangement
    •  Light gray deeply furrowed on old trees

downloadPhoto credit to U.S. Department of Agriculture

  • Invasive/Non-invasive
    •  Non-Invasive
  • Native/Non-native
    •  Native
  • Pests/Disease
    • Few pests and diseases cause serious damage
    • Insect problems occur with Oak Webworm, Oak Skeletonizer, Solitary Oak Leafminer, variable Oakleaf Caterpillars, June Beetles and Oak Lacebug.
    • Acorn-inhabiting curculionid Conotrachelus and Curcurlio weevils cause damage to acorns.
    • Oak wilt spreads through root grafts of adjacent trees
    • Susceptible to be attacked by Cotton Root Rot and Strumella canker.
  • Comparisons to similar trees
    •  N/A
  • Usefulness
    • Ornamental shade tree
    • Railroad ties, cabinetry, barrels, hardwood flooring and fence posts
  • Local Location / History:  
    • Located on the lawn at the corner of Cedar and Whittington streets on the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts campus.