Quercus macrocarpa
Bur Oak
[White Oak group]
Hudson River Park locations:
Morton Street to Christopher Street (N1) Christopher Street to Charles Street (N2) Charles Street to West 11th Street (N3) sections |
Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons Subclass Hamamelididae Order Fagales Family Fagaceae – Beech family Genus Quercus L. – oak Species Quercus macrocarpa Michx. – bur oak |
Burr Oak
Savannah Oak Prairie Oak Mossycup Oak Mossy-overcup Oak Blue Oak quercus (L) = "oak" macrocarpa = "large fruit" |
Native to eastern and central US
Native habitat: Savanna Life span: 200 to 400 years Salt spray tolerance high Soil salt tolerance good |
What I have found on Bur Oak trunks
What may be found in Bur Oak bark
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Toxic Part:
Acorns (seeds of nuts) and young leaves Toxin Delivery Mode: Ingestion Symptoms: Stomach pain, constipation and later bloody diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination |
Edibility:
EDIBLE PARTS: Acorns (nuts) are edible after tannins are leached or boiled out HARVESTING: Only collect nuts from areas you know |
Toxic Principle:
Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin Severity: CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN |
The bur oak is a pioneer species of the tall grass prairie and the prairie margin. Its fast growing taproot and efficient use of water allows it to get established in competition with prairie shrubs and grasses.
The thick, rough bark of the trunk and the corky bark of the twigs of the bur oak make the tree fire resistant, so that larger trees may survive hot (700 degrees F.), fast-burning (600 feet per minute) wildfires. Where fire suppression is prevalent bur oak islands may be replaced by shade-tolerant forests of maple. (Contrast with Willow Oak.)
The acorns, with deep, fringed cups, are the largest of all native oaks. The common name of the tree refers to the cups slight resemblance to the burr of the chestnut. As a member of the White Oak Group, the bur oak's acorns are edible once the tannins have been removed by leaching or boiling. See here for instructions.
The thick, rough bark of the trunk and the corky bark of the twigs of the bur oak make the tree fire resistant, so that larger trees may survive hot (700 degrees F.), fast-burning (600 feet per minute) wildfires. Where fire suppression is prevalent bur oak islands may be replaced by shade-tolerant forests of maple. (Contrast with Willow Oak.)
The acorns, with deep, fringed cups, are the largest of all native oaks. The common name of the tree refers to the cups slight resemblance to the burr of the chestnut. As a member of the White Oak Group, the bur oak's acorns are edible once the tannins have been removed by leaching or boiling. See here for instructions.
Tree / Buds / Bark
Tree
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Flowers
Foliage
Leaves
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