ornamental tree
Bur oak
A bulletproof native oak for difficult prairie and clay soils.
Growing Profile
- Hardiness
- Zones 3a-8a
- Sun
- Full
- Soil
- LoamClay
- Water
- Low
- Deer pressure
- Not rated No deer-resistance category is assigned yet; treat browsing risk as local and variable.
- Black walnut
- Not rated No black-walnut cue is assigned yet; verify placement if planting inside a walnut root zone.
- Planting depth
- Keep the root flare at soil level; graft unions stay above grade.
- Container min
- 45+ gal (in-ground preferred)
- Goals
- Native plantsPollinators & wildlifeCurb appeal & color
Harvest & Use
- Window
- green leaves in summer; large acorns in fall
- Output
- 16-28 weeks of shade/fall display
- First output
- 2-5 yrs
- Best for
- Native plantsPollinators & wildlifeCurb appeal & color
Timing: green leaves in summer; large acorns in fall. This profile tracks 16-28 weeks of shade/fall display with a harvest or display window of 6-12 weeks where defensible.
Plant photos
What it looks like in the garden
Use these photos to compare the plant's leaves, stems, flowers, fruit, and overall habit before you buy or plant.
Photos show a representative plant in the garden. Fruit color, size, and growth habit can vary by cultivar, season, nursery stock, and site.
Photo sources: James St. John / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Quantitative Profile
- Full output
- 5-10 yrs
- Mature size
- 50-80 ft H x 40-70 ft W
- Spacing
- 40-60 ft apart
- Planting depth
- Keep the root flare at soil level; graft unions stay above grade.
- Container min
- 45+ gal (in-ground preferred)
- Productive life
- 80-200 yrs
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Data quality
- Medium profile, No pound-yield source
Pound return is the stock-style yield metric. These are planning ranges for comparing plants, not guarantees. Cultivar, rootstock, climate, soil, pruning, pest pressure, and wildlife can move actual results.
Planting Checklist
8 itemsPlant by ZIP may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through checklist links.
- View
Tree trunk guard
Protection / After plantingProtect young trunks from mower damage, sunscald, rabbits, and rubbing injury.
- View
Digging spade or shovel
Tools / Planting dayOpen planting holes, loosen compacted soil, and shape beds for larger transplants.
- View
Tree stake kit
Support / Planting dayStabilize newly planted trees only where wind, slope, or root-ball movement makes support necessary.
- View
Organic mulch
Soil / After plantingHold soil moisture, suppress weeds, moderate soil temperature, and protect shallow roots.
- View
Finished compost
Soil / Bed prepImprove bed structure and organic matter before planting annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees.
- View
Rabbit or deer protection
Protection / After plantingGuard young edible, native, and ornamental plants until they can tolerate browsing.
- View
Loppers or pruning saw
Maintenance / First dormant seasonHandle woody stems and branches too large for hand pruners.
- View
Soft plant ties or clips
Support / As neededFasten stems to stakes, cages, trellises, or young-tree supports without girdling growth.
Planting Strategy
- Planting depth: Keep the root flare at soil level; graft unions stay above grade.
- Container minimum: 45+ gal (in-ground preferred). Large trees can be started in containers but are not practical long-term patio crops.
- Start with one plant when testing fit in a new bed or container.
Risk Factors
- Match the site first: full light, loam, clay soil, and low water.
- Use 40-60 ft apart as the first spacing model; adjust for hedges, trellises, containers, or local guidance.
- Plan around mature size: 50-80 ft H x 40-70 ft W.
- Native-plant matches are starting points; confirm regional nativity, straight-species versus cultivar status, and local invasive guidance.
- Local drainage, pests, chill hours, wildlife pressure, and microclimates can change the result.
Related Planning Guides
Comparable Plants
Sources & Methodology
This guide combines hardiness range, light, soil, water, harvest timing, traits, supplier links, plant relationships, and quantitative planning metrics. Pairings are screened for practical garden fit.
Quantitative values use extension and botanical-reference ranges where available. For less-studied cultivars, similar crops fill gaps conservatively. Ranges are intentionally broad so the profile stays useful without pretending to be exact.
Planning sources: NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxMissouri Botanical Garden Plant FinderUniversity of Maryland Extension - Planting a Tree or ShrubUniversity of Maryland Extension - Starting a Home Fruit GardenUniversity of Maryland Extension - Types of Containers for Growing Vegetables
Supplier search: Amazon. Search links are not paid placements unless explicitly marked; affiliate listings may earn a commission. Last reviewed: 2026-05-31.