Quercus macrocarpa – Bur oak, Mossycup oak

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Fagaceae

Quercus macrocarpa – Bur oak, Mossycup oak

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Relatively slow growing large tree with a round crown. In nature the tree can reach over 40 m: in culture it is rarely taller than 25 m. The young twigs are grey-brown and covered with short hairs. From the third or fourth year the twigs develop corky fissures. The thick bark is grooved with elongated plates. The large, long obovate leaf is very variably lobed. The leaf is glossy dark green and 15 to 25 cm, even growing to 30 cm long in young trees. The peculiar cupule encloses around half to two-thirds of the acorn. The cupule is scaly and on its upper edge the scales are longer. They hang like a sort of fringe around the acorn. Depending on the area of origin the fruit measures 1.8 to 5 cm. Trees with a more southern area of origin have larger fruit than ones from northern regions. A particularly hardy, imposing park tree.
Our trees can only be planted when they don't have any leaves. Due to the this we will start delivering again from November 2024.
Availability
Clear stem (3)
Specifications
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Height
15 - 25 m
Crown
round, half-open crown
Bark and branches
twigs grey brown, hairy, bark grey, thick and grooved with elongated flat plates
Leaf
long obovate, lobed, glossy dark green, 15 - 20 (30) cm
Flowers
yellow-green ♂ catkins, May
Fruits
broad ovate, 1.8 - 5 cm, cupule scaly, on the upper edge covered with longer, thin scales
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
preferably on calcareous, fertile soil
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
3 (-40,0 to -24,5 °C)
Wind resistance
good
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6), can withstand wind, resistant to de-icing salt
Application
avenues and broad streets, industrial areas
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Origin
Eastern and Central USA and bordering areas in Canada
Clear stem tree Multi-stem tree calcareous soil clay soil loamy soil sandy soil tolerates no paving resistant to de-icing salt resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6) can withstand wind 1st size , taller than 12 metres half-open crown green yellowgreen average growing non-toxic (usually)
Frequently asked questions
Quercus macrocarpa

Quercus macrocarpa can eventually reach a height of 15 - 25 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Quercus macrocarpa is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 15 - 25 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The right time to plant Quercus macrocarpa is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Quercus macrocarpa with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Quercus macrocarpa blooms in may.
General