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Common name: Bur oak
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Latin name: Quercus
macrocarpa Common name: Bur oak |
Early
spring habit of Quercus macrocarpa.
The Morton Arboretum accession tag for this tree
BUR OAK
Quercus macrocarpa
138-U-15 unkn T N-73/25-46
and the online catalog lists it as being in in
the Forestry Plot Area, but you'll find
it near the Magnolias and Relatives, just west
of Crowley Marsh. The old oak tree next to the marsh
and nearest the road is a Shingle Oak, beyond
that is a Sweet Gum and beyond that is this wonderful
old Bur Oak.
Picture taken April 17, 2004
The pictures on the left showing newly emerged leaves
and catkins of Bur oak. These pictures are of different
branches and were taken on the same day.
Although
it's been a very dry spring and summer (some say that
we're in a drought) this magnificent Bur oak is filled
with leaves and acorns. The photo on the far left shows
the typical shape of a Quercus macrocarpa, with somewhat
rounded top and a narrower waist about half way down
the leaf.
The
lowest branches of this Bur oak rest on the ground,
but others reach to the sky. Leaves are dark green
on top, but a much lighter color on the bottom. Click
on the middle photo to see how the sun on the undersides
of leaves gives the appearance that the tree is filled
with doves. 
Standing
under this Bur oak and looking upwards gives you an
appreciation for the strength of the trunk of this
older tree. The shade was a welcome relief from the
hot sun on this 90 degree day.
Source for classification listing: USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Karren J. Wcisel © copyright 2004 - 2005
Send email to Karrenw@aol.com