PlantsNuts & Mast
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Chicago-region native. Suited to zone 6a.
Signature Chicago-region canopy tree and wildlife mast
ModerateNuts & MastAlso TreesEdible
- Light
- Full sun
- Moisture
- Dry–medium
- Mature size
- 50–80+ ft
- Spacing
- 35–60 ft
- Bloom or harvest
- Acorns Sep–Oct
- How it spreads
- Massive long-lived tree
- What to buy
- Container or balled-and-burlapped; bare-root in early spring.
- When to plant
- Early Apr–May after soil thaws and drains; Sep–mid Oct for container/B&B. Bare-root: early spring.
In the design
Excellent ecological tree; place well away from buildings.
If you eat it
Acorns require correct species ID and repeated leaching before food use
Large-space tree; food processing is specialized
Only eat what you planted and can name. This is not a foraging or medical guide.
