Bur Oak — Quercus macrocarpa

Quercus is Latin meaning fine tree; macrocarpa means large fruited. Bur oak was the pioneer species that led the advance of the forest upon the prairie and was the principal tree growing in the “Oak openings” of the Midwest.

This oak, almost native to Colorado, is one of the most adaptable of the oak group. While native to the bottomland soils along with silver maple and pin oak in the eastern states, it has the remarkable ability to thrive in drier, upland and alkaline soils typical of the Colorado plains. It also has a reputation for its resistance to smoky, polluted air in large cities such as Denver. This fact alone may well be its most important redeeming feature for future plantings.

Even though it is slow in growth rate when compared with more commonly planted trees, it is long-lived, strong in branch structure and lacks serious pest problems. In summer, the tree can be easily recognized by the foliage which is broadest above the middle and seems to be separated by one deep cut about at the middle. The obes above the cut are shallow, those below are deep. If acorns are present, there is no mistake on their identity.

Both the Latin and common names allude to the characteristics of the acorn. The name “Bur Oak” refers to the bur-like projections on the cup of the acorn. Some call this species the descriptive name “Mossycup Oak.” In winter, the best identifying feature is the rugged silhouette of the tree. Because of the tendency of the tiPee to produce thick, corky bark even on young branches and also numerous stout, short side branches, the general appearance of the mature tree in winter becomes very distinctive.

Other Denver locations

Denver Civic Center; South Federal Boulevard and Stanford; Byers Jr. High School

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bur_Oak