Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Obovate to spatulate, deeply lobed with 5 to 7 rounded lobes, where the upper portion of the leaf is noticeably broader and features a distinct deep pair of sinuses nearly reaching the midrib.
Margin
Lobed with rounded edges, typical of the white oak group, lacking the bristle-tips found in red oak species.
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the woody twigs.
Venation
Pinnate venation with a prominent central midrib and clearly defined secondary veins extending into each lobe.
Key Features
Extremely large, fringed acorn cups, deep corky ridges on older twigs, and characteristically shaped leaves with a broad, fiddle-shaped upper half and rounded lobes.
Description
The Bur Oak is a majestic, long-lived deciduous tree recognized by its deeply furrowed, corky bark and massive, spreading crown. The leaves are among the largest of any native oak, featuring a unique violin-like shape with a heavily lobed upper half. In autumn, the foliage turns a dull yellow to yellowish-brown before dropping. It produces the largest acorns of any North American oak, encapsulated in a distinctive mossy-fringed cup.
Habitat
Typically found in open woodlands, savannas, prairie borders, and along river bottoms. Prefers deep, moist, well-draining soils but is remarkably drought-tolerant and adaptable.
Native Range
Native to central and eastern North America, stretching from the Great Plains eastward to the Atlantic coast, and from southern Canada down to Texas.