Bur Oak Tree Seeds (Quercus macrocarpa)
Bur Oak Tree Seeds (Quercus macrocarpa)
Majestic, resilient, and built for centuries.
Quercus macrocarpa, the Bur Oak, is a stately native oak famed for its massive trunk, deeply ridged bark, and oversized acorns with fringed cups. Towering over prairies and woodlands, it casts one of North America’s most impressive shade canopies. Tough and adaptable, it thrives across diverse soils and climates—an anchor tree for generations.
Why Choose Bur Oak?
- Native to the Midwest, Plains, and eastern U.S.; thrives in diverse landscapes
- Iconic, fringed-cup acorns that feed deer, squirrels, turkeys, and birds
- Long-lived legacy tree—often 300–400+ years—with strong drought and fire tolerance
- Excellent for reforestation, shade, shelterbelts, and wildlife habitat
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Quercus macrocarpa
- Germination Rate: 91%
- Harvest Year: 2025
- Seed Source: Kentucky, USA
- Stratification: 60–90 days cold stratification required
- USDA Zones: 3–8
- Soil: Prefers deep, loamy soils; tolerates clay, sandy, and dry rocky sites
- Light: Full sun
- Mature Size: 60–80 ft tall × 60–80 ft wide (can exceed 100 ft in native stands)
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate (about 1–2 ft/year)
- Lifespan: 300–400+ years
- Packet Sizes: 5, 10, 25, 40, or 100 seeds
FAQ
Do Bur Oak seeds need stratification?
Yes. Cold, moist stratify for 60–90 days before sowing for consistent germination.
Is Bur Oak good for wildlife?
Absolutely. Large acorns feed many species, and the spreading canopy provides critical cover and nesting habitat.
Will it handle tough sites?
Yes. Bur Oak is notably tolerant of drought, heat, wind, and various soil textures once established.
Related Seeds
- Black Walnut Tree Seeds (Juglans nigra)
- Red Maple Tree Seeds (Acer rubrum)
- American Beech Tree Seeds (Fagus grandifolia)
Evergreen Seed Co. is trusted by growers nationwide for resilient, high-germination tree seeds. Each order is carefully sourced, tested, and packaged with detailed planting instructions.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
Total items
Product subtotal