Native Plants As Habitat For Wildlife - Native Plant Society of ...

need control. They are susceptible to a fungal disease black knot, which may be
controlled through pruning.
Use:
If pruned to a single trunk, they make an attractive small tree. As a large shrub they are
useful in an informal shrub border, especially when seen against silver-grey foliage. They
are used extensively for wildlife or shelterbelt plantings. The fruit makes an excellent jam
or syrup. They provide food and cover for birds.
Propagation:
Seed, suckers, or cuttings.
Quercus macrocarpa (bur oak)
Description:
Native to Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan, it is a large, attractive, and long-lived (200
years) tree of 10 m (30 ft.) or more.
Bur oak has a straight trunk, high head and branchlets which often have corky ridges.
Although it has a long standing reputation for slow growth I have seen very young trees
on sandy soil put on 30cm (12 in.) of growth in a single season without supplemental
water.
Its leaves are typically "oak"-like, with 7 to 9 deep lobes, shiny green above and whitish
and hairy below, with yellow to red fail coloration. The acorns are "mossy cup" or
fringed. It has a deep root system with a wide-spreading deep tap root.
Culture:
Adapted to most of the prairies, the bur oak is drought-tolerant once established due to
the nature of its taproot. The taproot also makes it difficult to transplant once it is over .6
m (a few feet) high. This is probably the reason why it is not readily available
commercially.
Use:
It is excellent as a shade or specimen tree in a medium or large lot. Because of its taproot,
it is not competitive with nearby lawns or flowerbeds. It provides cover and food for
birds.
Propagation:
Seed planted outdoors in the fall.
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