'Boomer' Bur Oak

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Fortunate to receive a few "Boomer" Bur Oak from the James E. "Bud" Smith Plant Materials Center in Knox City, TX. Boomer was collected from native trees located in Custer County near Clinton, Oklahoma.
‘Boomer’ Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa Michx.
Conservation Uses
Boomer performs well in dry areas and is used in windbreak plantings on the Southern High Plains and Rolling Plains of Texas and Oklahoma. It consistently outperformed other bur oaks based upon growth rate and habitat under windbreak field conditions. It provides excellent nesting habitat for birds and cover for other wildlife. The acorns are eaten by squirrels, rabbits, mice, and wild hogs. Bur oak also makes an attractive landscape plant for urban and recreation areas by providing dense shade.
Area of Adaptation
Boomer is adapted throughout much of Texas and southern Oklahoma. It requires at least 25 inches of precipitation annually, but will grow in areas with as little as 15 inches if supplemental watering is provided during the establishment period.
Establishment and Management for Conservation Plantings
Bur oak seedlings, as most hardwood species, cannot tolerate competition from grasses and weeds. Carry out weed control in the late summer or early fall before planting with tillage or appropriate herbicides.
Seedbed preparation should begin the year prior to seeding in the fall in an effort to reduce weed competition. Work the site during the summer or early fall prior to seeding to create a firm weed-free seedbed. Seed should be directly seeded in early fall.
For windbreaks, plant Boomer seedlings in the winter to early spring at a spacing of 15-25 feet apart. To improve survival rate, seedlings should be protected from livestock, rodents and other small animal pests, and weed competition.
Seed and Plant Production
Boomer is harvested by hand gathering the mature acorns after they have fallen from the tree in the fall.
Availability
For conservation use: Seed and seedlings are available from several commercial seed companies or nurseries.
For seed or plant increase: Breeder seed will be maintained by the USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Center in Knox City, Texas.