Tip of the Week
Bur oak for low-maintenance shade

If selection of a userfriendly, low-maintenance shade tree is on your "to do" list, consider the bur oak.

Quercus macrocarpa is native to the area of the United States that was once tall grass prairie, including much of Texas.

Its unusually large leaf and enormous acorn with distinctive burry fringe lend interest.

A fast growing tree, it typically becomes 60 or more feet high and wide and lives 100 or more years.

Its adaptability makes it a particularly good choice for our East Texas environment. It adapts to both cold and extreme heat.

Due to a long taproot, it is very drought tolerant and, once established, thrives with relatively little water.

Although it prefers deep limestone soils, it adapts well and tolerates both dry clay and poor sandy soils.

Professional arborists recognize its success in urban conditions.

It has no serious disease and pest problems.

As with any tree, it is most easily started in the landscape during the fall through winter season.

That long taproot requires that the young tree be transplanted from container grown plants for success.

Joan Driver, Smith County Master Gardener