Overcup Oak Tree
Quercus lyrata
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-9b Find Your Zone
Shrub Type: Deciduous Tree
Height at Maturity: 45-60′
Width at Maturity: 40-50′
Spacing: 60+ feet for space between trees
Growth Habit / Form: Rounded at maturity
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Brown Copper
Flower Size: Insignificant
Flowering Period: Spring
Flower Type: Cluster
Fragrant Flowers: na
Foliage Color: Gray Green | Copper Red in fall
Fragrant Foliage: No
Fruit: Yes, nuts that are inedible to humans but other mammals eat them
Sun Needs: Full Sun to Part Shade; 5 hours of sun per day suggested
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sandy(amended), Silty
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well-Drained to Wet, even standing water!
Soil pH: 5.0 – 8.0 (Acid to Alkaline)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Mammals, Birds, Wildlife
Resistances: Deer, Disease, Heat, Insect
Description
One of the most worthwhile but under-planted large trees, the Overcup Oak is an exceptionally adaptable and majestic long-lived tree. In case you were wondering, its name comes from the cap which almost completely covers the acorn. Growing at a rate of up to 2 feet per year with a rounded crown up to 60 feet tall and 50 feet wide with upswept lower branching makes it a great selection for a shade tree. Perhaps one of its most noteworthy characteristics is its ability to tolerate both well-drained or wet soils. In its native habitat you might find it growing in river bottoms and even standing water, much like the native Bald Cypress. The large and handsome deeply lobed leathery green leaves provide nice texture and color turning a rich, copper-red in fall. A magnificent tree for difficult landscaping situations and the small animals and birds that eat the acorns will thank you for planting it!
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 45 to 60 feet tall and 40 to 50 feet wide, the Overcup Oak is ideal for use around the home and in parks or other properties that can provide the space. An excellent shade tree around the home and for outdoor living areas and is nice in landscape and sunny woodland borders. It is a fine addition to wildlife gardens and native gardens. Overcup Oak acorns are at the top of the food preference list for squirrels and smaller animals as well as larger animals such as wild turkeys, hogs and white-tailed deer.
Suggested Spacing: 60+ feet for space between trees
Growing Preferences
The Overcup Oak is very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained to even wet soil and clay and full sun to part shade.
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The trees you sell have been very high quality, great roots, carefully packed. I have a 2 acre arboretum and always looking for unusual trees.————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

























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