Overcup Oak

Quercus lyrata

Great for Difficult Urban Landscape Situations
Brilliant Reddish or Gray Brown Bark
Uniform Branches and Rounded Shape
Grows 45' to 70' with a 45' Spread
Zones 5 to 9
Can't Ship To: AK, AZ, CA, FL, HI, LA, OR

Click icons for more information Show All Hide All

Zones 5 - 9

Hardiness Zones: Zones 5 - 9
The Overcup Oak can be expected to grow in the zones shown in color in the arborday.org zone map.VIEW MAP

shade tree

Type of tree:
The Overcup Oak falls into the following type(s): Shade Trees

45' - 70' High

Mature Height:
The Overcup Oak grows to be 45' - 70' feet in height.

35' - 50' Spread

Mature Spread:
The Overcup Oak has a spread of about 35' - 50' at full maturity.

Medium Growth

Growth Rate:
This tree grows at a medium growth rate. [More about this.]

Multiple Exposures

Sun:
This oak does well in full sun, partial shade.

Various Soils

Soil:
The Overcup Oak grows in acidic, loamy, sandy, well drained, wet, clay soils.

Oval Shape

Shape:
This oak has oval, rounded shape.

More Info

Attributes:
The Overcup Oak tree is a long-lived, very sturdy shade tree that will thrive in a wide variety of soil conditions. Long overlooked by growers, the tree is just starting to be more popular and thus more readily available for home landscapes.

Wildlife Value:
Overcup oak acorns are at the top of the food preference list for squirrels and smaller rodents as well as larger animals such as wild turkeys, hogs and whitetail deer.

History/Lore/Use:
This is a native tree found in the swampland of the Atlantic coast. The first scientific observations concerning the species were made in 1786. The Overcup Oak, so named for its acorn cap that covers almost the entire fruit, was heavily logged for its strong wood. Where found in protected forests, the tree appears to thrive in low-lands and swampy areas, but has been grown successfully in arid regions and in a wide range of soil conditions, making it an excellent urban street tree.

Moisture:
Can withstand wet soil conditions, but will do better in well-drained areas.

Leaves:
The leaves alternate, simple, obviate-oblong, 6 to 8 inches long. Dark green top with white underside.

Flower Color:
Brown, faded flower color. Not noteworthy.

Bloom Time:
April-May..

Fruit Description:
The fruit is round, 3/4 inch to 1" diameter, the cap almost completely covers the nut.

An important tree in difficult urban landscaping situations with uniform branching forming a rounded shape with an open crown. The Overcup Oak has brilliant reddish or gray brown bark and displays leathery dark green leaves in summer. Fall color is a rich yellow-brown. Easy to transplant and tolerates most soil conditions and partial shade to full sun. Grows 45'-70' with a 45' spread. (Zones 5-9)

		Spring Shipping		Fall Shipping
Color	Zone	Approximate Ship Dates	Order Deadline	Approximate Ship Dates	Order Deadline
	2	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	3	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	4	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	5	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	6	03/19–05/12	05/07	11/01–12/03	11/19
	7	03/11–05/07	04/30	11/05–12/10	11/26
	8	02/26–04/30	04/23	11/05–12/10	11/26
	9	02/26–04/30	04/23	11/05–12/10	11/26
	10	02/26–04/30	04/23	11/05–12/10	11/26

We're sorry, but this tree can't be shipped to AK, AZ, CA, FL, HI, LA, OR , territories, or countries outside the U.S. This is due to the agricultural laws within these locations.

When you order trees from The Arbor Day Foundation, your order is guaranteed to arrive in a good, healthy condition or we'll replace them at no charge. Your trees will be shipped at a suitable time for planting.

Each tree is guaranteed to grow, or we'll replace it at one half the original price, plus shipping and handling.

The benefits of bare-root trees

Our trees are delivered with natural bare roots which have been dipped in hydrating gel prior to shipment to keep the roots moist and healthy. As their abundant, fibrous roots aren't confined by a container, bare-root trees get off to a more vigorous start compared to containerized roots which typically need more time to adjust to transplanting. Bare-root trees typically surpass the size of larger containerized trees in only a few years.

	Standard		Dwarf
	Mature Height	Space Needed	Mature Height	Space Needed
Apple	20' - 25'	35' x 35'	10' **	10' x 10' ++
Peach	20'	20' x 20'	8' - 10'	10' x 10'
Sweet Cherry	30'	20' x 25'	12' - 15'	10' x 10'
Sour Cherry	20'	20' x 20'	8'	10' x 10'
Pear	20'	20' x 20'	12' - 15'	12' x 12'
Apricot	20'	20' x 20'
Plum	20'	20' x 20'	8' - 10'	10' x 10'
			** semi-dwarf 12' - 15' ++ semi-dwarf 12' x 12'

Natural Root and Containerized Trees

Natural root (also called bare root) trees are shipped without soil around their roots. They are shipped when dormant in the spring and fall seasons. We dip the roots in a hydrating gel to keep them moist during shipping.

There are a number of advantages to natural root trees:

They are very affordable.
Their roots re-establish themselves well once they are planted in their permanent location.
They are easy to plant at the correct depth.

The Urban Horticulture Institute at Cornell University has an interesting article about the benefits of planting natural root trees. Look for the PDF entitled Creating the Urban Forest: The Bare Root Method

Potted (also called containerized) trees come in 4" containers.

If you have questions, please call (888) 448-7337 or E-mail Member Services.

Learn more about oak trees.

We inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.

10 Free Trees

Tree Nursery