Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Mature Height: 70-80' tall
- Mature Width: 70-80' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Spacing: 70-80' apart
Why the Audubon® Native Bur Oak?
The Bur Oak is a charismatic tree of the Midwest, where grand old specimens dot fields, farms, and prairies, serving as oases to wildlife. Birds of all types flock to the shelter of its massive branches and leafy canopy. Caterpillar-eaters like wrens, warblers, mockingbirds, cardinals, sparrows, and vireos feast on the many insect species Bur Oak attracts, while larger birds like turkeys, woodpeckers, jays, and flickers enjoy its acorns. If you have the space, oak trees should be a key component of your wildlife-friendly landscape. Bur Oak is an especially fine choice, offering first-rate food and cover along with a picturesque form.
Bur Oak gets its name from those jumbo-sized acorns, which are held in very large caps covered with a bur-like fringe. The oversized caps and acorns have a lot of character and make fun additions to fall craft projects. In pioneer days on the plains, it came to the rescue of unfortunate travelers who needed new wagon tongues, wheel hubs or spokes. As part of our nation’s natural heritage legend states that Lewis and Clark met with Native Americans under the Council Oak in what is now Sioux City, Iowa. At that time the tree was 150 years old.
How to use in the landscape?
Bur Oak is a supremely tough tree, able to shrug off bitter cold, drought, wind, and poor soils like few other trees can. This gentle giant can even survive in the city if there’s room enough for it to grow. In fact, Bur Oak is a past winner of the Society of Municipal Arborists “Tree of the Year” award for its ability to thrive in challenging urban sites.
Why Bower & Branch?
At Bower & Branch, it’s our job to know and grow trees… especially big trees.
- Trusted, Experienced Growers
- Trusted, Knowledgeable Expertise
- Trusted Brand of Quality Trees Across the United States
We do the hard part. Our trees and plants are grown and cared for by only the best, local growers for years before they find their forever home in your landscape. Bower & Branch is known for having hard-to-find, substantial sizes and selection. The quality of our trees and plants are consistent in health and vigor—always ready for immediate impact in your garden and instant curb appeal. We never rush our trees to reach a ‘grade size.’ Our trees are grown for quality height, vigor, health and age.
We believe in empowering homeowners with the truth about strong, healthy and structurally sound plants that are grown to perform in the ground after they leave the nursery for home delivery, always fresh inventory from the grower.
Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.
What is the definition of Native?
“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society
Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.
Audubon® is a licensed and registered trademark of the National Audubon Society. All rights reserved.
How To Plant
Bur Oak is a slow-growing tree, but with optimum levels of water and fertilizer, its growth rate can be speeded up a bit. Plant Bur Oak in full sun in any type of soil and mulch it with a layer of wood chips or bark. Make sure to also give it plenty of elbow room! Diseases and insect pests are generally no problem with this one!
How To Water
Water twice weekly for the first 3-5 weeks; then water weekly for the remainder of the year until winter. When you water, water very slowly and very thoroughly. The water needs to reach to the bottom of the root ball and that takes time. Watering needs may be altered due to extreme weather conditions.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant Food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant Food granular form on an annual basis each fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established as it gives your tree the nutrients it needs to produce lush new growth for the following spring.
How To Prune
While pruning is not required to typically needed, it's best to do so in late fall to early spring.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Videos
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our large trees require expert delivery and care, that means our large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care.
We deliver your trees and plants directly to your driveway or curbside! Ask Bower & Branch about planting services and rates – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*Big trees, Size XL (A) and bigger, will take approximately 2 to 4 weeks days to be delivered. - Sizes large (AA) and smaller (Treelings) will be shipped directly to your home by a local common carrier in a plant-safe box.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health.. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
