Average Landscape Size: 60–80 ft. tall × 40–60 ft. wide; broad, rounded crown with massive spreading branches.
Sun Requirements: Full sun (requires plenty of space and light to reach its full potential).
Water Needs: Moderate while establishing; highly drought-tolerant once mature and very adaptable to various soil types.
Deer Resistance: Moderate (young trees may need protection, but mature trees are very resilient).
Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9; exceptionally hardy and thrives in the heat and humidity of the Houston area.
Fertilization & Pruning: Apply a balanced tree fertilizer in spring for the first few years. Pruning is generally minimal, focused primarily on removing dead wood or "limbing up" lower branches to allow for foot traffic or lawn clearance beneath the canopy.
Detailed Description: If you are looking for a "legacy tree" to plant for future generations, the Bur Oak is an unbeatable choice. It is one of the most rugged and adaptable oaks available, easily handling the heavy clay soils and unpredictable weather patterns of the Houston metro area. Its most famous feature is undoubtedly the "burred" acorn—the largest of any North American oak—which sits in a deep, fringed cup that looks like a bit of mossy lace.
The Bur Oak isn't just about the acorns, though. It features thick, leathery leaves that turn a soft yellow-brown in the fall and a deeply furrowed, corky bark that provides incredible architectural interest during the winter months. Because it is highly resistant to air pollution and heat stress, it’s a popular choice for both large residential lots and urban park settings. Give this "gentle giant" plenty of room to grow, and it will reward you with a massive, cool canopy of shade for decades to come.
Average Landscape Size: 60–80 ft. tall × 40–60 ft. wide; broad, rounded crown with massive spreading branches.
Sun Requirements: Full sun (requires plenty of space and light to reach its full potential).
Water Needs: Moderate while establishing; highly drought-tolerant once mature and very adaptable to various soil types.
Deer Resistance: Moderate (young trees may need protection, but mature trees are very resilient).
Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9; exceptionally hardy and thrives in the heat and humidity of the Houston area.
Fertilization & Pruning: Apply a balanced tree fertilizer in spring for the first few years. Pruning is generally minimal, focused primarily on removing dead wood or "limbing up" lower branches to allow for foot traffic or lawn clearance beneath the canopy.
Detailed Description: If you are looking for a "legacy tree" to plant for future generations, the Bur Oak is an unbeatable choice. It is one of the most rugged and adaptable oaks available, easily handling the heavy clay soils and unpredictable weather patterns of the Houston metro area. Its most famous feature is undoubtedly the "burred" acorn—the largest of any North American oak—which sits in a deep, fringed cup that looks like a bit of mossy lace.
The Bur Oak isn't just about the acorns, though. It features thick, leathery leaves that turn a soft yellow-brown in the fall and a deeply furrowed, corky bark that provides incredible architectural interest during the winter months. Because it is highly resistant to air pollution and heat stress, it’s a popular choice for both large residential lots and urban park settings. Give this "gentle giant" plenty of room to grow, and it will reward you with a massive, cool canopy of shade for decades to come.
