July Tree of the Month-Bur oak
The state champion bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa, has lived just south of Columbia, Mo, for approximately 400 years. According to the current marker, it’s named the Williamson Bur Oak since the Williamson Family has owned the land since the early 1800s, but McBaine Bur Oak is also used and is the most common. A tree by any other name would still be just as awe-inspiring. Every few years or so, I make a point to stop by and visit the tree, knowing that each visit might be my last. The tree has been through some tough times, drought, lightning, fire, and vandalism, and is starting to show signs of decline.
The top photo was a visit in February 2013. (Squint, and you can see me at the base.) Compared to the photo right above from June of 2023, you can see the signs of decline even with a full leaf canopy. The tree is still magnificent, standing sentinel over the surrounding farm fields with a lone sycamore as its only nearby neighbor.
Quercus macrocarpa is one of our many native oaks with a range from Alabama and Arkansas north to Canada. The large acorns have a fringed cap that has found itself in almost as many craft projects as the pine cone and is where the common name stems from. It is commonly misspelled as ‘Burr.’. Mossycup is another common name, also referencing the acorn caps.
Bur oaks are BIG trees, slowly growing to 80’ or more, not for the typical small, suburban yard, but in a park or field-absolute tree perfection. In Missouri, it’s naturally found in low woodland and bottomland soils near streams or dry, upland soils in the northern parts of the state. Burs are very adaptable and drought-tolerant once established. This tree demands full sun and will outlive its neighbors to ensure it gets it.
You can check out other Missouri Champion trees at;
Champion Trees | Missouri Department of Conservation (mo.gov)
For more about national champion trees, check out the site below;
Champion Trees Registry – American Forests
What I love about this plant–
-It’s a native!
-The stately mature profile, especially as a single specimen and allowed to spread out.
-Acorns feed birds, raccoons, squirrels, and deer annually.
-The fun, distinct acorn caps.
-A tree this large is its own ecosystem.
What’s not so great–
-The acorns can be a mess and a hazard near walkways, drives, or your gutters. Give it plenty of room in the back of your property, not over your driveway or house.
-Oaks can be prone to oak wilt, powdery mildew, leaf spots, borers, galls, scale, and other pests. However, it’s still considered a low-maintenance tree and very long-lived.
Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2023, All rights reserved.
