Overcup Oak

From the central and southern United States, Quercus lyrata is a slow-growing, tall, deciduous tree with a pyramidal habit when young, spreading later to develop a dense, rounded crown. The greyish bark is rather shaggy. The deeply-lobed leaves are dark green with fuzzy white undersides, turning yellow-brown in autumn. The slender, yellow male catkins, up to 6”/15cm long, are unobtrusive; the tiny red female catkins are followed by acorns whose burred cups cover most of the acorn, hence the common name; acorns are not produced until the tree is 25-30 years old. The overcup oak tolerates wet soils, and is a good choice as a specimen on heavy, waterside soils.