Plant Detail: Quercus macrocarpa

* Common Name:	bur oak, mossycup oak, blue oak, mossy oak
* Genus:	*Quercus*
* Species:	*macrocarpa*
Subspecies:
* Family (scientific):	Fagaceae
* Family (common):	Beech
Synonyms :
* Distribution in Canada:	Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec New Brunswick

Photographer: Bill Moses.

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Habitat

Ecozone(s):

Atlantic Maritime
Mixedwood Plains
Prairies

Natural Habitat(s):

Forest (over 65% cover)
Woodland (35-60% cover)
Riparian (edge)
Rocky Bluff

Habitat Garden(s):

Woodland

Erosion Control?

Characteristics		Growing Conditions
* Plant Type:	Tree	Moisture Requirements: Dry, Normal, Moist, Wet Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Soil Requirements: Clay, Loam Temperature Zone: 3
Evergreen?	No
Average Height:	12 to 18 m
Tolerances:	Compaction Tolerant

Flower Info		Fruit/Seed Info
Showy flowers?	No	Showy fruit/seeds?	Yes
Bloom time:	Apr to May	Edible for humans?	No
Flower Colour(s):	Yellow, Green/Brown	Fruit/Seed Colour(s):	Brown

Miscellaneous		Uses
Fragrant Flowers?	No	Urban Oasis, Stewards in the City, and Eco Superior are specific Evergreen programs that some plants are used in.
Fragrant Foliage?	No	Program & Other Uses:	Stewards in the City
Fall colours?	Yes
Distinctive bark?	No
Poisonous to humans?	Yes
Thorns or prickles?	No
Attracts wildlife?	Squirrels Birds
Larval host for:	Edwards' Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)	Provincial tree/flower?
Plant Watch species?	No

Slow growing.
A good urban tree since it is resistant to air pollution and car exhaust.

POISONOUS PARTS: Acorns (seeds of nuts) and young leaves. Low toxicity if eaten. Symptoms include stomach pain, constipation and later bloody diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)

Bur Oaks keep a respectful distance from each other; they hold each other off, not so much by their wide-spreading branches as by the fierce competition of their root systems. (Peattie)

Compaction Tolerance

Poisonous Plants of N.C. State

Canadian BIF Butterflies

NatureServe

Trees of Ontario
Linda Kershaw
Lone Pine Publishing
2001
ISBN 1-55105-274-1

A Natural History of Trees of Eastern and Central North America
Donald Culross Peattie
Bonanza Books
Year unknown
ISBN unknown

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