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Common Trees 



BUR OAK 



Quercus macrocarpa, Michaux 



THE BUR OAK, also called Mossy Cup Oak and Over Cup 

 Oak, is one of the largest of American oaks. It reaches 

 a height of 100 feet and 5 feet in diameter. 



The leaves are simple, alternate, 6 to 12 inches long, 3 to 

 6 inches wide, shiny and deep green above, pale and finely 

 hairy beneath. 

 Near the middle 

 are deep clefts that 

 almost divide the 

 leaves into two 

 parts. 



The flowers and 

 wood are similar 

 to those of White 

 Oak. 



The fruit is a 

 large acorn matur- 

 ing in one season. 

 The nuts are % of 

 an inch long with 

 a white and sweet 

 kernel. The cup 

 covers about half 

 of nut and is bor- 

 dered by distinct 

 fringe along mar- 

 gin. 



The twigs are 

 Stout, yellowish- 

 brown and usually 

 marked with corky 

 winged projections. The buds are alternate, y% of an inch 

 long, blunt-pointed, reddish-brown, clustered at end of twigs. 

 The bark becomes deeply furrowed and has a tendency to peel 

 off in flaky scales. 



The Bur Oak is found from New Brunswick and Nova 

 Scotia west to Manitoba, and south to Pennsylvania, Kansas 

 and Texas. In New York it is found across the State on 

 rich soils south of the Adirondacks and northward to Lake 

 Champlain and Jefferson county. Not reported south of 

 Greene county in Hudson valley. 



The Bur Oak is a valuable timber tree and used exten- 

 sively for ornamental planting. It is easy to transplant, 

 grows rapidly, has few insect enemies. 



BUR OAK 

 One-third natural size. 



