Bur oak is a huge tree reaching a height and spread of 70 to 90 feet and has an impressive crown, massive trunk, and stout branches. There is a specimen in Philadelphia which is about seven feet in diameter and over 90 feet wide. Bark is an unusual light brown to grey depending on the specimen, and is deeply furrowed on older trees. Young stems have corky ridges making them appear stout. Acorns are almost completely covered with a furry, bur-like cap and are large, creating a sizeable clean-up job in a maintained landscape. Young trees have an attractive, symmetrical, dense crown and they are well-suited for street tree planting. It is salt tolerant, poor soil tolerant, and pollution tolerant. Architects like the tree due to its uniformity in crown shape.

USDA Zones: Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8.