Bur oaks are one of the slowest growing oaks in the family, and have a very long life span. Living up to 300 to 400 years old, this tree is not only drought and heat tolerant, but can thrive in nearly any soil type. One can distinguish the Bur from other oaks by its large, dark, and asymmetrical leaves and its huge acorns. The limb structure is dense and round, and requires little pruning to thrive, making it a perfect North Texas shade tree. They will grow up to a height of about 100 feet and a 5 to 10 foot diameter trunk, with a canopy stretching over 100 feet wide at maturity. However, it will take them a long time to reach this high, growing at an annual rate of about 1 to 2 feet per year.
Bur oak
