ID That Tree: Bur Oak

On this edition of ID That Tree, meet a white oak species with bark so thick, it is often fire resistant. Bur oak have terminal buds that may look like bear claws, while its leaves have deep sinuses and are very broad across the top. It's acorn has a large cap that features little hairs forming a burr along the outside edge.

Check out more trees of Indiana with this publication, "An Introduction to Trees of Indiana,"

[AlphanumericCharacters]

I live in Las Vegas. Obviously these trees are not native here but there are several thriving in the park near my house. The kids and I didn’t pay them much mind until we saw these crazy looking acorns on the ground today. I imagine most midwestenrers would think it was a bit strange for an acorn to be a novelty.

[HarrellKerkhoff]

I have one growing in my yard. It's about 10 years old. I'm sure a squirrel planted the acorn, in a perfect spot in my yard, and I decided to let it grow.

[cantwealljustgetalong]

i collected bur oak acorns last year from a few different trees. i noticed that some trees produced acorns that were half the size of the acorns from other trees. i stratified them over the winter and all of the acorns large and small germinated. im just confused on why there is such a big difference in size on the acorns of bur oak