{"product_id":"bur-oak","title":"Bur Oak","description":"\u003ch1\u003eMinnesota's Iconic Prairie Oak — A Tree for Generations\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBur Oak (\u003cem\u003eQuercus macrocarpa\u003c\/em\u003e) is the great native oak of the Minnesota prairie and savanna — the tree you see standing alone in an old farm field, unbowed by a century of drought, fire, and bitter winters. It's legendarily tough, with deeply furrowed corky bark, oversized acorns in chunky fringed caps, and a massive, broad-spreading crown that can reach 70 to 80 feet across in maturity. It grows slowly and lives for centuries, making it a true multi-generational legacy tree. Hardy to zone 3 and native across the state, nothing anchors a large Minnesota landscape like a Bur Oak. Whether you're planting a heritage shade tree on an acreage in Lakeville, a wildlife oak in Woodbury, or the centerpiece of a big yard in Maple Grove, Bur Oak is a gift to the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBur Oak Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eQuercus macrocarpa\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBur Oak, Mossycup Oak, Prairie Oak\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e70–80 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e70–80 feet — massive, broad-spreading crown\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — extremely hardy across the metro\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExceptionally adaptable. Tolerates clay, sand, drought, high pH, and occasional wet soil.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBark\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeeply furrowed, corky, fire-resistant — characterful in every season\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — large lobed leaves turning yellow-brown to russet in fall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcorns\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOversized acorns in distinctive fringed (mossy) caps — prized food for deer, turkeys, and squirrels\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F or colder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — deer browse young trees and acorns; protect when small\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinnesota native — the signature oak of the prairie and oak savanna\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBur Oak Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMajestic Legacy Shade Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its enormous broad crown, Bur Oak is the ultimate large-property shade tree — a single specimen defines a landscape for generations. Give it plenty of room on an acreage or large yard in Lakeville or Woodbury to spread to its full grandeur.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBombproof Native for Tough Sites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo oak is tougher. Bur Oak shrugs off drought, prairie fire, road salt, high-pH soil, wind, and brutal cold, thriving where almost nothing else survives — the most resilient oak you can plant in Minnesota.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWildlife and Native Heritage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts big acorns are a feast for deer, turkeys, wood ducks, and squirrels, and as a keystone native it supports an enormous web of insects and birds. Planting a Bur Oak is one of the most valuable things you can do for native wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Bur Oak in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOaks are deciduous, so you have two good planting windows in the Twin Cities:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May)\u003c\/strong\u003e, once the ground has thawed, is ideal — oaks establish best with a full season ahead, and spring planting gives the strongest root establishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (September–mid-October)\u003c\/strong\u003e also works. Plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes so roots can settle in. Avoid mid-summer planting, and never plant into frozen ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Bur Oak\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — the hole should be 2–3 times the root ball width but only as deep as the ball itself. In heavy clay, dig even wider.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck drainage — Bur Oak tolerates most soils, but set the crown at grade and avoid planting in standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't create a pure-compost \"container\" in clay.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the tree so the top of the root ball sits at or just above grade, and handle the roots gently — oaks resent root disturbance. Give it plenty of room to spread.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the root zone to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept 2 inches from the trunk, and wrap the young trunk the first winter or two.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Bur Oak in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water every 1–2 days, deep and slow. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3 through fall: every 5–7 days during active growth, less when rainfall is adequate. Stop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes in late October so the tree can harden off for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished Bur Oak is exceptionally drought-tolerant, needing supplemental water only during prolonged dry spells. Water deeply to 6–8 inches every 7–14 days during extended drought, and otherwise let natural rainfall do the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Bur Oak survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely — it's native across the state and hardy to -40°F or colder, one of the toughest trees in North America.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big does it really get, and how fast?\u003c\/strong\u003e Very big — 70–80 feet tall and wide at maturity — but slowly. It's a long-term, multi-generational investment, not a quick-shade tree, so give it room and patience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — Bur Oak is the signature native oak of Minnesota's prairie and oak savanna, with enormous ecological value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat about the acorns?\u003c\/strong\u003e Bur Oak produces the largest acorns of any North American oak, in distinctive fringed \"mossy\" caps — a major food source for deer, turkeys, and other wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhite Oak\u003c\/strong\u003e — another majestic, long-lived native oak with fine fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSwamp White Oak\u003c\/strong\u003e — a native oak that thrives in wet and dry soils alike.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNorthern Red Oak\u003c\/strong\u003e — a faster-growing native oak with brilliant red fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Hackberry\u003c\/strong\u003e — a bombproof native shade tree for tough sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Bur Oak Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBur Oak is a true specimen tree — one is usually all a yard needs, and all it has room for. Plan for a mature crown of 70–80 feet: site it at least 35–40 feet from your house, driveway, septic field, or other large trees. On acreage, a savanna-style grouping of 2–3 trees spaced 50–60 feet apart recreates the classic Minnesota oak-savanna look and maximizes wildlife value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBur Oak Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leafs out late (a smart frost-avoidance habit), with soft silvery-green new foliage and inconspicuous catkins that feed early insects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A dense canopy of large, deeply lobed dark-green leaves casts cool, generous shade; developing acorns swell in their fringed caps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage turns yellow-brown to russet while the biggest acorns of any North American oak drop — a feast for deer, turkeys, and squirrels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The deeply furrowed corky bark and massive, gnarled branch architecture make a leafless Bur Oak one of the most striking winter silhouettes in the landscape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Salt-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-oak\"\u003eWhite Oak\u003c\/a\u003e — a fellow long-lived native oak for a true heritage planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/swamp-white-oak\"\u003eSwamp White Oak\u003c\/a\u003e — covers the lower, wetter ground Bur Oak prefers to avoid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-red-oak\"\u003eNorthern Red Oak\u003c\/a\u003e — faster-growing native oak that adds brilliant red fall color to the canopy mix.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/common-hackberry\"\u003eCommon Hackberry\u003c\/a\u003e — an equally bombproof native companion for tough, open sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Bur Oak Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBur Oak thrives in full sun on almost any soil — clay, sand, high pH, dry slopes, even occasionally damp ground — and handles road salt, wind, and -40°F winters without complaint. Protect young trees from deer browse for the first few years. Not a fit if you have a small city lot or want fast shade: this tree needs serious room and rewards patience measured in decades, not seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260810416433,"sku":"GT-T3528","price":397.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260810449201,"sku":"GT-T3530","price":439.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260810481969,"sku":"GT-T3531","price":493.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3\"BB","offer_id":54260810514737,"sku":"GT-T3532","price":548.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/bur-oak.jpg?v=1779426701","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/bur-oak","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}