A delightful native Oak with glossy leaves and showy acorns, Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa, adds lots of ornamental value to the landscape on top of being an essential food source for wildlife. A slow-growing upright tree, Bur Oak is an ideal Oak along streets or in the front yard. Once established Bur Oak is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions including drought and flooding. Host plant to Edwards’ Hairstreak and Horace’s Duskywing butterfly.

Notable Bur Oaks – Sugar Creek Gardens has a Bur Oak on site. The “Big Tree” in Columbia is a champion tree.

Oaks are vitally important in supporting many species of wildlife. Oak species feed caterpillars of more than 500 different kinds of butterflies and moths, more than any other genus of tree. The caterpillars feed on the leaves without harming the trees.

Plant in full sun. Add a starter fertilizer when planting to get roots off to a fast start. Keep well watered until established. The trees benefit from deep watering during dry spells.