Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)

Form

Height 80 feet or more under favorable conditions, diameter 3 to 4 feet; under unfavorable conditions, not over 25 feet in height; often grows in the open where the tree usually has broad top of heavy spreading branches and relatively short trunk.

Bark

Thick, deeply furrowed on surface into irregular, plate-like broken scales; dark gray to black in color. Bark on smaller branches develops corky wings, or ridges, giving it a gnarly appearance.

Leaf

Length 6 to 10 inches, width 3 to 6 inches; crowded at ends of twigs; resembles white oak, but has pair of deep indentations near base and wavy notches on broad middle and upper portions; dark green above, paler and hairy beneath.

Fruit

Acorn set deeply or almost enclosed in fringed, burr-like cap, ovoid in shape; diameter may reach 1 inch or more; however, varies widely in respect to size and degree to which nut is enclosed in the mossy fringed cup. Seed is bitter, and matures in 1 season.

Range

Distributed over the entire state; towards the north, trees are smaller; prefers moist, well-drained soils; the common oak of the "oak openings" in the southwestern part of the state.

Wood

Heavy, hard, strong, tough, durable, rich brown heartwood; uses similar to that of white oak.