Bottomland Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
 
The bottomland bur oak is a stately, rugged hardwood tree well-adapted to floodplains, river valleys, and rich bottomlands across central and eastern North America. A subspecies or ecotype of the classic bur oak, it thrives in moist, loamy soils and can grow over 80 feet tall with a massive trunk and a wide, spreading crown. Its thick, corky bark and stout branches give it a sturdy, weathered appearance. The leaves are large, dark green, and deeply lobed, often with a fiddle-like shape, turning golden brown or yellow in the fall. The bur oak is named for its distinctive acorns—the largest of any native oak—featuring a fringed, mossy cup that nearly encloses the nut. These acorns provide vital food for wildlife like deer, turkeys, and squirrels. Resilient to drought and occasional flooding, the bottomland bur oak is a symbol of endurance, anchoring the rich soils of America’s riverlands with its deep roots and timeless presence.