Quercus macrocarpa twig

Corky winged bark of Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak) twigs. These outgrowths help to distinguish it from the similar Quercus alba (White Oak) which has smooth twigs. This was a very small tree growing alongside a former railroad grade now turned into a recreational trail. I've noticed that many of the Bur Oaks here are small with short branches densely covered in these corky outgrowths which are very different from the typical form.

comments (9)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

What a beautiful branch. I've only recently learned the outgrowths are called wings. Posted 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  The trees were quite spectacular with all of those winged branches. Posted 6 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Bur oak has super cool acorns! Posted 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  And edible with minimal processing. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Nice! I wouldn’t have assumed that! Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Gary B
      
      Lion
      
      Some can be eaten right from the tree but there is a tannic acid content that could be a problem if you eat too many. The acorns can be mashed and soaked in a few changes of warm water to make a flour. I haven't tried this but have eaten bur oak acorns from the trees. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        That's so cool! I had no idea. I used to eat acorns as a kid and did make flour once, but it was not an easy process. Eating a bur oak acorn straight from the tree is now on my to-do list! Posted 6 years ago
      2. Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        Go easy on them because they do contain tannic acid although not as much as red oaks do. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Good advice, thanks! Posted 6 years ago

The Bur oak

''Quercus macrocarpa'', the bur oak, sometimes spelled burr oak, is a species of oak in the white oak section ''Quercus'' sect. ''Quercus'', native to North America in the eastern and central United States and eastern and central Canada. This plant is also called mossycup oak and mossycup white oak.

''Quercus macrocarpa'' is widespread in the Atlantic coastal plain from New Brunswick to North Carolina, west as far as Alberta, eastern Montana, Wyoming, and northeastern New Mexico. The.. more

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Similar species: Beeches, Oaks, Walnuts

Species identified by Gary B