The Bur Oak

The Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), Commonly known as the bur oak, the large-fruited oak belongs to the Fagaceae family. Its natural range spans the vast plains of the central and western United States, from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, including: United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, North and South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Canada: Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

The species was first described by botanist André Michaux in 1801 and introduced to Europe in 1811.

ses of the Bur Oak

The wood of the bur oak is highly valued, as it is the hardest of the American oaks. It is utilized in various industries: construction, carpentry, cabinetry, firearms manufacturing, agriculture, railroad ties, and as firewood. It is also suitable for cooperage. For this purpose, its wood does not need to be split, as its pores are sealed by tyloses—like those of white oak (Quercus alba), making it watertight.

Additionally, its acorns are abundant and nutritious, providing a significant food source for wildlife.

Characteristics of the Bur Oak

With its massive and imposing silhouette, the bur oak thrives in plains and prairies, on dry slopes (in the northeastern part of its range), lowlands, and alluvial valleys. It prefers deep, rich, and moderately moist soils and is found at altitudes up to 1,000 meters

The bur oak is remarkably resistant to climatic extremes, including temperature fluctuations, floods, and droughts. Its thick, cork-like bark also makes it resilient to prairie fires

A deciduous tree, the bur oak can reach heights of 18 to 30 meters. Its leaves measure 5 to 31 cm in length and 4 to 16 cm in width, with moderately to deeply lobed edges and sinuses that can extend nearly to the midrib.
The size of its acorns varies by latitude, with larger fruits found in the southern part of its range. Acorns measure 1.5 to 5 cm in length and 1 to 4 cm in width, housed in cups 0.8 to 5 cm high and 1 to 6 cm wide. The upper scales of the cup end in tips that can exceed 1 cm, giving the acorn a disheveled, shaggy appearance.

Visuals © D.R.