Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 60–80 ft tall and 60–80 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Susceptible to galls.
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended
- Botanical name
- Quercus macrocarpa
- Variety / cultivar
- Bur
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 60–80 ft tall and 60–80 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~80 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
- Fall color
- Bronze, red
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Pollinator value
- low
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
Common problems on the Front Range
No major pest or disease problems are commonly reported for this plant on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for the usual stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Bur Oak good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Bur Oak is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Bur Oak get?
- It matures to about 60–80 ft tall and 60–80 ft wide.
- How much room does Bur Oak need?
- Give Bur Oak about 80 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Bur Oak grow into?
- Bur Oak typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Bur Oak hardy on the Front Range?
- Bur Oak is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Bur Oak need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Bur Oak grow?
- Bur Oak is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Bur Oak live?
- Bur Oak is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Bur Oak turn in fall?
- Bur Oak turns bronze and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Bur Oak native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Bur Oak deer-resistant?
- No. Bur Oak is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Bur Oak a good firewise plant near the house?
- Bur Oak is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Bur Oak prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Bur Oak has no major pest or disease problems commonly reported on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
