Bur Oak
Bur Oaks are an exceptionally long lived tree that with time can reach truly massive proportions. They are an excellent selection for making a statement or as a shade tree with some authority. Bur
Oaks are best suited for large open spaces. They are the most cold tolerant of all the oaks. When young, they are known to have a corky bark and branches. Their large acorns are prized by wildlife and are quickly carried off by birds and small mammals. When you plant a Bur Oak tree, you are really planting a tree for future generations.
| Common Name |
Bur Oak |
|---|---|
| Latin Name |
Quercus macrocarpa |
| Form |
Round |
| Life Span |
300+ |
| Growth Rate |
Slow |
| Mature Height |
25m+ |
| Mature Spread |
25+ |
| Flower Colour |
Inconspicuous |
| Fragrance |
Not significant |
| Fall Colour |
Bronzy |
| Soil Preference |
Widely adaptable |
| Exposure Preference |
Full sun |
| Cold Hardiness Zone |
Zone 2b |
| Special Attributes and Considerations |
A unique characteristic of the Bur Oak is that they hold onto their leaves well into winter, which can help to offer privacy and tame the winter winds. This characteristic is know as having marcescent leaves. |
| Folk Lore |
Our European ancestors have for millennia used the wood of oak trees for building ships, weapons and the roof trusses of Europes greatest Cathedrals. Oak trees were worshipped by the druids whom often met to have their esoteric gatherings under the gnarly branches of Oak groves. The Green Man, an ancient symbol of fertility is often depicted with oak leaves and acorns. |
| Available Sizes |
40mm |
Related products
Black Walnut
Black Walnut Trees are a relatively rare tree for Southern Alberta but they have long been successfully grown in Medicine Hat. They make excellent shade trees and offer a splendid dappled shade with their loose open canopy. As a delicious autumn treat they produce large bounties of rich tasting nuts. They are low maintenance and exceptionally pest and disease resilient. They produce a brilliant fall show of bright yellow leaves. All and all we can not say enough good things about the Black Walnut tree as a consideration for anyones yard with appropriate space.
Box Elder
The Box Elder is a native tree that can often be found growing along streams and rivers. Some folks may know this tree as a Manitoba Maple. The tree is exceptionally drought and cold tolerant. A Box Elder can thrive in the most unforgiving location. Displaying plenty of character they often grow with gnarled and twisted branches. As the wood is weak and females will drop samaras, the Box Elder is best suited as a shade tree in a large yard or as a shelter belt tree in a rural setting.
Mayday
The Mayday tree is a medium sized tree that produces beautiful five petalled white flowers clustered along short stalks know botanically as racemes. The tree is native to Northern Europe and has for a very long time been a part of our history. The best part of having a Mayday tree in your yard is they are by far the first species to bud out in the spring. You will often see flowers and leaves at the very beginning of May if not the end of April. After a long winter they are a true delight for both gardeners and hungry honey bees. They produce very small cherries that are readily eaten by birds. They are a very hardy tree and require little maintenance. At maturity they can grow to 10m tall, but we know of a specimen or two down on river side that would put that measurement to the test.
Muckle Plum
The Muckle Plum is hybrid between a Canadian Plum and Russian Almond. The tree explodes with a brilliant display of precocious pink flowers in early spring. The leaves are dark green and transition to a warm orange in the fall. The tree is very compact making it a perfect addition to smaller yards. Muckle plums will not grow any fruit so they considered to be very neat and tidy. The tree is cold hardy and makes a fine year around accent tree.
Tatarian Maple
The Tatarian Maple is a compact, exceptionally hardy and low maintenance accent tree. The tree will display showy red samaras in late summer. Fall colours are vibrant, and leaves often remain on the tree well into winter. Interestingly, the tree will often grow wider than it is tall. The trees trunk is a striking light grey with black markings.
Thunderchild Flowering Crab Apple
Thunderchild Flowering Crabapples are an attractive, compact and upright tree that make the perfect focal point for any garden. During middle spring, the branches are draped with clusters of vibrant pink flowers. Its fruit is perfectly edible and tends to remain on the tree long into winter. The tree displays a dark purple foliage throughout the growing season. Thunderchilds are strongly resistant of fire blight. They are an absolute delight for bees, butterflies and birds alike.
Toba Hawthorne
The Toba Hawthorne is hardy and compact ornamental tree that displays double white flowers that slowly turn to pink. The flowers are followed by small pomes that ripen to red in the fall. These pomes can be made into jellies or used in tea. The tree grows with bright glossy leaves that turn yellow. As the tree matures it develops a sinewy trunk full of furrows and twists.
True North American Linden
Bur Oaks are an exceptionally long lived tree that with time can reach truly massive proportions. They are an excellent selection for making a statement or as a shade tree with some authority. Bur Oaks are best suited for large open spaces. They are the most cold tolerant of all the oaks. When young, they are known to have a corky bark and branches. Their large acorns are prized by wildlife and are quickly carried off by birds and small mammals. When you plant a Bur Oak tree, you are really planting a tree for future generations.
