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Quercus macrocarpa
  • Burr Oak

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Quercus genus in the family Fagaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Loamy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Quercus macrocarpa has 0 edible uses listed
Quercus macrocarpa has 0 material uses listed
Quercus macrocarpa has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - cooked[1][2][3][4]. Very large, the seed can be up to 5cm x 4cm[5][6], though it is somewhat variable in size and shape[7]. The seed can be ground into a powder and used in making bread, dumplings etc and as a thickener in soups[8]. The seed of this species is considered to be one of the most palatable of all the oaks[9][8]. Many trees have sweet seeds with little tannin and the seed can be eaten raw or cooked. If the seed is bitter then this is due to the presence of tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the dried and ground up seed in water, though many minerals will also be lost. The traditional method of preparing the seed was to bury it in boggy ground overwinter. The germinating seed was dug up in the spring when it would have lost most of its astringency. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute.

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

A mulch of the leaves repels slugs, grubs etc, though fresh leaves should not be used as these can inhibit plant growth[10].

Oak galls are excrescences that are sometimes produced in great numbers on the tree and are caused by the activity of the larvae of different insects. The insects live inside these galls, obtaining their nutrient therein. When the insect pupates and leaves, the gall can be used as a rich source of tannin, that can also be used as a dyestuff[11]. The bark has been used as a mordant for fixing dyes[4].

Wood - hard, heavy, strong, tough, very durable, close grained. It weighs about 46lb per cubic metre[7]. Of considerable importance as a timber tree, it is used for all types of construction, in making baskets, flooring, cabinet making, ship building etc[12][13][5][14][15][7][16]. It is also a good fuel[5].

Unknown part

Mordant
Repellent
Tannin
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark is astringent and tonic[13]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[4].

A decoction of the root or inner bark has been used in the treatment of cramps[4].

Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc[11].

Unknown part

Antispasmodic
Astringent
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - it quickly loses viability if it is allowed to dry out. It can be stored moist and cool overwinter but is best sown as soon as it is ripe in an outdoor seed bed, though it must be protected from mice, squirrels etc. Small quantities of seed can be sown in deep pots in a cold frame. Plants produce a deep taproot and need to be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible, in fact seed sown in situ will produce the best trees[17]. Trees should not be left in a nursery bed for more than 2 growing seasons without being moved or they will transplant very badly.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Quercus macrocarpa. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a good deep fertile loam which can be on the stiff side[17]. Lime tolerant[18]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Young plants tolerate reasonable levels of side shade[6]. Tolerates moderate exposure, surviving well but being somewhat stunted[6]. A slow-growing tree[18]. Established plants are drought resistant[16] and tolerant of atmospheric pollution[19].

Trees have a thick, fire-resistant bark[20]. Occasionally cultivated for its edible seed, there are some named varieties[8]. Slow growing in the wild, it takes about 30 years to start producing seed, though it then continues to crop for the next 200 - 300 years with large crops being produced every 2 - 3 years[16]. The tree flowers on new growth produced in spring, the seed ripening in its first year[6][16]. Prefers warmer summers than are usually experienced in Britain, often growing poorly in this country and failing to properly ripen its wood, resulting in frost damage overwinter[17][6]. A tree at the Hillier Arboretum in Hampshire was growing well in September 1993. It was 9 metres tall but had a lot of mildew, there was no sign of seeds[K]. There is a dwarf form of this species:- Q. macrocarpa depressa (Nutt.)Engelm. grows about 2 metres tall with corky branches and smaller seeds than the species, usually about 1cm long[7]. Hybridizes freely with other members of the genus[6].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Quercus macrocarpa. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Quercus macrocarpa.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Quercus macrocarpa
Genus
Quercus
Family
Fagaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Medicinal uses
[13][4][11]
Material uses & Functions
[10][11][4][7][12][13][5][14][15][16]
Botanic
[17][21][6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
slow
Mature Size
15 x 8 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
monoecious

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"image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Quercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences (1978-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.6 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.76.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press ISBN 0-253-28925-4 (1977-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press ISBN 0-292-78958-3 (1987-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.4 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.117.217.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.1 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
  19. ? Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
  20. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
  21. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

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Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Quercus_macrocarpa&oldid=79982"
Facts about "Quercus macrocarpa"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyFagaceae +
Belongs to genusQuercus +
Has binomial nameQuercus macrocarpa +
Has common nameBurr Oak +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partSeed +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind + and Drought +
Has fertility typeWind +
Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
Has growth rateSlow +
Has hardiness zone3 +
Has imageQuercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useMordant +, Repellent +, Tannin + and Wood +
Has mature height15 +
Has mature width8 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Astringent + and Tonic +
Has primary imageQuercus macrocarpa USDA.jpg +
Has search namequercus macrocarpa + and burr oak +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceLoamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameQuercus macrocarpa +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Quercus macrocarpa +, Quercus macrocarpa +, Quercus macrocarpa +, Quercus macrocarpa +, Quercus macrocarpa +, Quercus macrocarpa +, Quercus macrocarpa + and Quercus macrocarpa +