Quercus macrocarpa - Plant Finder Plant Finder Tried and Trouble-free Recommended by 5 Professionals Species Native to Missouri Native Range: Northern and central United States, southeastern Canada Zone: 3 to 8 Height: 60.00 to 80.00 feet Spread: 60.00 to 80.00 feet Bloom Time: April Suggested Use: Shade Tree, Rain Garden Flower: Insignificant Garden locations Culture Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers moist well-drained loams, but adapts to a wide range of soil conditions. Good drought tolerance. May take up to 35 years for this tree to bear a first crop of acorns. Noteworthy Characteristics Bur oak or mossycup oak is one of the most majestic of the native North American oaks. It is a medium to large sized deciduous oak of the white oak group that typically grows 60-80’ (less frequently to 150’) tall with a broad-spreading, rounded crown. Acorn cups are covered with a mossy scale or bur near the rim, hence the common names.

It is native to a variety of habitats in central and eastern North America. Best growth occurs in bottomland soils, particularly in the Ohio River valley. In Missouri, it typically occurs in low woods and stream valleys in the Ozark region, but on dry upland soils in the unglaciated parts of the state north of the Missouri River (Steyermark). Insignificant monoecious yellowish-green flowers in separate male and female catkins appear in spring as the leaves emerge. Fruits are oval acorns (to 1 1/2” long), with fringed, burry cups that extend to approximately 1/2 to 3/4 the acorn length. Acorns are an important source of food for wildlife. Leathery, dark green leaves (6-12” long) with 5-9 rounded lobes are variable in shape, but usually have a pair of deep central sinuses that extend nearly to the midrib giving the leaf a waisted appearance. Fall color is an undistinguished yellow-brown. Twigs sometimes are ridged with corky wings. Macrocarpa comes from the Greek words macro meaning large and carpa meaning fruit in reference to the large acorn size.

Problems Oaks are susceptible to a large number of diseases, including oak wilt, chestnut blight, shoestring root rot, anthracnose, oak leaf blister, cankers, leaf spots and powdery mildew. Potential insect pests include scale, oak skeletonizer, leaf miner, galls, oak lace bugs, borers, caterpillars and nut weevils. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, bur oak is generally considered to be a low-maintenance, long-lived tree. Garden Uses Cupressus macrocarpa Introductory SPECIES: Hesperocyparis macrocarpa AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION : Esser, Lora L. 1994. Hesperocyparis macrocarpa. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: [ ]. Revisions: 17 October 2013: Scientific name changed from Cupressus macrocarpa to Hesperocyparis macrocarpa; references 37-40 added. ABBREVIATION : HESMAC SYNONYMS : Callitropsis macrocarpa (Hartw.) D.P.

Little [ 40 ] Cupressus macrocarpa Gordon [ 12 , 39 ] Neocupressus macrocarpa (Hartw.) de Laub. [ 38 ] NRCS PLANT CODE : HEMA22 COMMON NAMES : Monterey cypress TAXONOMY : The currently accepted scientific name of Monterey cypress is Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (Hartw.) Bartel (Cupressaceae) [ 32 , 37 ]. In New Zealand, interspecific hybrids and backcrosses between Monterey cypress and Mexican cypress (H. lusitanica), and Monterey cypress and Arizona cypress (H. arizonica), occur in cultivation. These species have also been crossed artificially [ 22 ]. LIFE FORM : Tree FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS : None [ 36 ] OTHER STATUS : The California Native Plant Society lists Monterey cypress in Category 1B: rare or endangered in California [ 27 ]. DISTRIBUTION AND OCCURRENCE SPECIES: Hesperocyparis macrocarpa GENERAL DISTRIBUTION : Monterey cypress occurs in two natural stands in Monterey County, California.

One stand is between Point Cypress and Pescadero Point on the north side of Carmel Bay, Monterey Peninsula. A smaller one is near Point Lobos on the south side of Carmel Bay [ 13 , 33 ]. Monterey cypress is widely planted and naturalized on the California coast [ 13 ]. It has been planted in Hawaii, Europe, South America, Australia, and New Zealand [ 17 ]. ECOSYSTEMS : FRES34 Chaparral - mountain shrub STATES : CA HI BLM PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS : 3 Southern Pacific Border KUCHLER PLANT ASSOCIATIONS : K009 Pine - cypress forest K033 Chaparral SAF COVER TYPES : NO-ENTRY SRM (RANGELAND) COVER TYPES : NO-ENTRY HABITAT TYPES AND PLANT COMMUNITIES : Monterey cypress is the dominant component of the Monterey cypress forest community [ 13 ]. This community is a moderately dense, fire-maintained forest up to 82 feet (25 m) tall in sheltered areas [ 13 , 31 ].

Monterey cypress typically grows in pure stands with an understory of scattered dwarf shrubs and perennial herbs [ 13 ]. It intergrades with northern coastal bluff scrub on exposed seaward edges and with Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) forest away from the ocean [ 13 , 33 ]. Monterey cypress is associated with closed-cone coniferous woodlands and closed-cone pine-cypress forests [ 23 , 27 , 33 ]. Publications naming Monterey cypress as a community dominant are listed below. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California [ 13 ] The vascular plant communities of California [ 31 ] The closed-cone pines and cypress [ 33 ] Species not previously mentioned but commonly associated with Monterey cypress include Gowen cypress (Hesperocyparis goveniana ssp. goveniana), California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), Hooker manzanita (Arctostaphylos hookeri), woolyleaf manzanita (A.

tomentosa), chaparral broom (Baccharis pilularis), coyotebrush (B. pilularis var. consanguinea), blue blossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus), liveforever (Dudleya farinosa), seaside daisy (Erigeron glaucus), golden-yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum), lizard tail (E. staechidifolium), salal (Gaultheria shallon), Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana), bush monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), Pacific bayberry (Myrica californica), skunkweed (Navarretia squarrosa), poison-oak (Toxicodendron diversiloba), and California huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) [ 13 , 19 , 33 ]. MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS SPECIES: Hesperocyparis macrocarpa WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : Monterey cypress wood is durable [ 10 , 11 , 22 ].

Natural durability of heartwood of Monterey cypress is high, 10 to 15 years' ground life and over 15 years above ground [ 22 ]. It is suitable for a wide range of exterior uses including joinery, shingles, and boats. Possible interior uses include moulding and panelling [ 11 , 22 ]. Cypress shelterbelts provide good firewood. Most cypress species develop a large proportion of heartwood, which splits well, dries quickly, and is clean burning. Monterey cypress wood is moderately fast burning because of its low to medium density [ 11 , 22 ]. As cypress woods are prone to sparking, they are recommended only for enclosed fires [ 22 ]. Monterey cypress is planted in Africa and New Zealand for lumber and pulp production [ 14 ]. IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : Rodents and deer consume cypress seedlings. Cypress are considered undesirable forage for livestock, although young plants are occasionally browsed [ 34 ].

PALATABILITY : NO-ENTRY NUTRITIONAL VALUE : NO-ENTRY COVER VALUE : NO-ENTRY VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : NO-ENTRY OTHER USES AND VALUES : Monterey cypress has been planted widely for ornament, hedges, and windbreaks in the Pacific States, Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and the Falkland Islands [ 17 , 18 , 22 ]. OTHER MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : Monterey cypress is considered rare in its range. Portions of the Monterey cypress grove on Monterey Peninsula have been destroyed for housing developments and golf courses [ 2 , 3 ]. Grazing and trampling by livestock are detrimental to cypress seedlings [ 2 , 3 ]. In Tasmania, ingestion of foliage of Monterey cypress trees has been associated with abortion in cattle and cerebral leucomalacia of the aborted fetus [ 26 ]. Monterey cypress seedlings are susceptible to damping-off fungi [ 2 , 33 ]. Monterey cypress is highly susceptible to coryneum canker (Coryneum cardinale), which can kill trees.

Coryneum canker (cypress canker) may spread naturally by rain, wind, birds, rodents, and bark beetles, which disseminate fungal spores [ 7 ]. Coryneum canker has eliminated some inland plantations of Monterey cypress [ 14 ]. Monterey cypress trees on the coast seem resistant to coryneum canker possibly because of the constant spray of salt, which decreases fungal spore viability [ 33 ]. One species of bark beetle (Ernobius conicola) infests green and dry cones of Monterey cypress and dead branches of the same host. It only infests trees found in the two native populations on Monterey Peninsula. Two moth species (Laspeyresia cupressana and Henricus macrocarpara) are associated with the bark beetle in 2-year-old Monterey cypress cones. The larvae of these insects can cause damage to the seeds [ 7 , 8 ]. In park plantings in San Francisco, Monterey cypress trees grow rapidly and are overmature by 70 years of age. Many have root rot, excessive lean, large dead branches, and a small proportion of live crown [ 5 ].

Methods for establishing Monterey cypress in New Zealand are described by Glass {10]. BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS SPECIES: Hesperocyparis macrocarpa GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : Monterey cypress is a native, evergreen tree. In native groves, trees on the coastal fringe are severely sculptured and distorted. A short distance inland, an erect form and light branching are apparent, showing that this cypress, although capable of enduring wind and salt-blasting, responds well to shelter [ 22 , 34 ]. Monterey cypress grows to 82 feet (25 m) tall. Mature leaves are 0.08 inch (2 mm) long, although they can be up to 0.4 inch (10 mm) on vigorous shoots [ 2 , 23 , 34 ]. Ovulate cones are solitary, up to 1.4 inches (35 mm) long. Staminate cones are 0.24 (6 mm) long [ 12 , 23 , 34 ]. The bark is thick and fibrous, becoming furrowed with age [ 23 , 34 ].

A well-defined taproot and numerous laterals are formed the first year [ 14 , 34 ]. Naturalists at the Point Lobos State Reserve have estimated the maximum age of Monterey cypress at 200 to 300 years [ 33 ]. RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : Phanerophyte REGENERATION PROCESSES : Monterey cypress reproduces exclusively from seed. Cone production is abundant. Staminate cone production begins on trees that are 6 to 7 years old [ 34 ]. Ovulate cone production begins on trees that are less than 10 years of age [ 5 ]. The cones require 2 years to mature [ 2 , 33 ] and can contain 140 seeds [ 14 ]. The cones of Monterey cypress remain closed for only a few years after maturity; seed dispersal is a continuous process and can occur without fire [ 20 , 35 ]. Seeds maintain viability for up to 4 years on trees [ 5 ]. Seed dispersal is primarily by wind and rain [ 8 , 33 ]. Cypress seeds require bare mineral soil for germination and establishment.

Seedling mortality is high on shaded sites with abundant litter because of damping-off fungi [ 2 , 33 ]. Seedlings are sensitive to excessive moisture [ 34 ]. SITE CHARACTERISTICS : In native stands, Monterey cypress is confined to rocky, granitic soils of coastal headlands and bluffs exposed to nearly constant onshore winds [ 13 , 35 ]. These acidic, sandy soils generally have a pH of 4.5 to 5.5 [ 33 ]. Monterey cypress occurs at elevations from sea level to 100 feet (30 m) [ 12 , 24 ]. SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : Facultative Seral Species Site requirements for cypress seedlings are typical of those for pioneer conifers. Seedlings are shade intolerant and survive best in full sunlight on bare mineral soil [ 2 , 33 ]. According to Armstrong [ 2 ], cypress trees of southern California are very sensitive to lack of light, losing their foliage when growing in shade.

Although chaparral species inhibit the establishment of cypress seedlings, few chaparral species are able to compete on infertile soils where Monterey cypress is found [ 2 , 3 ]. Pines may outcompete Monterey cypress where they are found together [ 34 ]. SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : In California, growth and development of Monterey cypress cones begins in January and extends to December of the same year. In the second year of development, cones are pollinated in February and March [ 8 ]. Seeds mature 15 to 18 months after pollination [ 14 ]. FIRE ECOLOGY SPECIES: Hesperocyparis macrocarpa FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : Monterey cypress is a fire-adapted species with serotinous cones [ 33 ]. Serotiny is less pronounced in Monterey cypress than in other California cypress species, possibly due to reduced frequency of intense crown fires near the ocean [ 20 , 33 ]. Monterey cypress is capable of seedling establishment with or without crown fire, although fire provides optimum site conditions for regeneration [ 20 ].

Some Monterey cypress trees survive fire; "fire-hollowed" trees were reported on sites containing both Monterey cypress and pines [ 34 ]. When cones of the California cypress species are opened by the heat of a fire, the seeds fall on exposed mineral soil [ 16 , 34 ]. Most seed falls in the first few months following fire [ 35 ]. Fires that occur in late summer and fall and are followed by winter rains ensure seed dissemination on bare mineral substrates and moist conditions for germination [ 33 ]. No information was available on fire-free intervals for communities dominated by Monterey cypress. Tecate cypress (Hesperocyparis forbesii), a cypress found in southern California, has an average interval between fires of 25 years, ranging from 15 to 63 years [ 2 , 33 ]. FIRE REGIMES : Find fire regime information for the plant communities in which this species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under "Find Fire Regimes".

POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : Tree without adventitious-bud root crown Crown residual colonizer (on-site, initial community) Initial-offsite colonizer (off-site, initial community) FIRE EFFECTS SPECIES: Hesperocyparis macrocarpa IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : Most fires probably kill Monterey cypress. Cypress thickets are conducive to crown fires, which usually kill most trees in the burned area. Some trees survive when fires are patchy [ 33 ]. Large trees might survive surface fires. Cones of the California cypress species open as the resin melts and boils. Rapid charring of the thick cone scales extinguishes the flames, leaving seeds unburned [ 2 ]. DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : NO-ENTRY PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : California cypress species trees release large quantities of seed after fire [ 34 ]. DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : NO-ENTRY FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : Fires occurring too frequently in groves of California cypress species may destroy them, as reproduction could be eliminated before trees have a chance to produce cones [ 2 ].

Fire followed by intensive grazing could eliminate a cypress grove [ 2 , 3 ]. REFERENCES SPECIES: Hesperocyparis macrocarpa REFERENCES : 1 . Airola, Daniell A.; Messick, Timothy C. 1987. Sliding toward extinction: the state of California's natural heritage, 1987. Report prepared at the request of the California Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildlife. [Location of publisher unknown]: [Publisher unknown]. 123 p. On file at: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula, MT. [19482] 2 . Armstrong, Wayne P. 1966. Ecological and taxonomic relationships of Cupressus in southern California. Los Angles, CA: California State College. 129 p. Thesis. [21332] 3 . Armstrong, Wayne P. 1978. Southern California's vanishing cypresses. Fremontia. 6(2): 24-29. [22295] 4 . Bernard, Stephen R.; Brown, Kenneth F.

1977. Distribution of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians by BLM physiographic regions and A.W. Kuchler's associations for the eleven western states. Tech. Note 301. Denver, CO: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 169 p. [434] 5 . Conkle, M. Thompson. 1987. Electrophoretic analysis of variation in native Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa Hartw.). In: Elias, Thomas S., ed. Conservation and management of rare and endangered plants: Proceedings of a California conference; [Date unknown]; [Location unknown]. [Place of publication unknown]: [Publisher unknown]: 249-256. On filewith: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula, MT. [25840] 6 . Eyre, F. H., ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Washington, DC: Society of American Foresters. 148 p. [905] 7 .

Frankie, Gordon W.; Parmeter, J. R., Jr. 1972. A preliminary study of the relationship between Coryneum cardinale (Fungi imperfecti) & Laspeyresia cupressana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Plant Disease Reporter. 56(11): 992-994. [22636] 8 . Frankie, Gordon W. 1973. Feeding habits and seasonal history of Ernobius conicola in cones of Monterey cypress with notes on cohabiting insects. Pan-Pacific Entomologist. 49(2): 102-109. [22634] 9 . Garrison, George A.; Bjugstad, Ardell J.; Duncan, Don A.; [and others]. 1977. Vegetation and environmental features of forest and range ecosystems. Agric. Handb. 475. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 68 p. [998] 10 . Glass, Bruce P.; Hay, A. E.; Andrew, I. A.

1991. Establishment of Cupressus lusitanica Miller and C. macrocarpa Hartweg on two sites in New Zealand. In: FRI Bulletin 156. Rotorua, New Zealand: Forest Research Institute: 72-80. [22635] 11 . Haslett, A. N. 1986. Properties and utilisation of exotic speciality timbers grown in New Zealand. Part III: Cypresses: Cahmaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murr.) Parl. X Cupressocyparis leylandii (Jacks et Dall.) Dall.; Cupressus lusitanica Mill.; Cupressus macrocarpa Hartw. FRI Bulletin No. 119. Rotorua, New Zealand: New Zealand Forest Service, Forest Research Institute. 12 p. [22537] 12 . Hickman, James C., ed. 1993. The Jepson manual: Higher plants of California. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1400 p. [21992] 13 . Holland, Robert F.

1986. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Fish and Game. 156 p. [12756] 14 . Johnson, LeRoy C. 1974. Cupressus L. cypress. In: Schopmeyer, C. S., technical coordinator. Seeds of woody plants in the United States. Agric. Handb. 450. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 363-369. [7599] 15 . Kuchler, A. W. 1964. Manual to accompany the map of potential vegetation of the conterminous United States. Special Publication No. 36. New York: American Geographical Society. 77 p. [1384] 16 . Little, Elbert L., Jr. 1975. Rare and local conifers in the United States. Conservation Research Rep. No. 19. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 25 p. [15691] 17 .

Little, Elbert L., Jr.; Skomen, Roger G. 1989. Common forest trees of Hawaii (native and introduced). Agric. Handb. 679. Washington, DC: U.S Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 321 p. [9433] 18 . Low, Alan J. 1986. Tree planting in the Falkland Islands. Forestry. 59(1): 59-84. [9755] 19 . McDonald, Philip M.; Laacke, Robert J. 1990. Pinus radiata D. Don Monterey pine. In: Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H., technical coordinators. Silvics of North America. Volume 1. Conifers. Agric. Handb. 654. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 433-441. [13401] 20 . McMaster, Gregory S.; Zedler, Paul H. 1981. Delayed seed dispersal in Pinus torreyana (Torrey pine). Oecologia.

51: 62-66. [21615] 21 . McMillan, Calvin. 1956. The edaphic restriction of Cupressus and Pinus in the Coast Ranges of central California. Ecological Monographs. 26: 177-212. [11884] 22 . Miller, J. T.; Knowles, F. B. 1990. Introduced forest trees in New Zealand: recognition, role and seed source. 9. The cypresses: Cupressus spp. and Chamaecyparis spp. FRI Bulletin 124/9. Christchurch, New Zealand: New Zealand Forest Service. 33 p. [21880] 23 . Munz, Philip A. 1973. A California flora and supplement. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1905 p. [6155] 24 . Posey, Clayton E.; Goggans, James F. 1967. Observations on species of cypress indigenous to the United States. Circular 153.

Auburn, AL: Auburn University, Agricultural Experiment Station. 19 p. [20384] 25 . Raunkiaer, C. 1934. The life forms of plants and statistical plant geography. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 632 p. [2843] 26 . Sloss, V.; Brady, J. W. 1983. Abnormal births in cattle following ingestion of Cupressus macrocarpa foliage. Australian Veterinary Journal. 60(7): 223. [22633] 27 . Smith, James Payne, Jr.; Berg, Ken. 1988. Inventory of rare and endangered vascular plants of California. 4th ed. Special Publication No. 1. Sacramento, CA: California Native Plant Society. 168 p. [7494] 28 . Stebbins, G. Ledyard. 1979. Rare species as examples of plant evolution. In: Wood, Stephen L., ed. The endangered species: a symposium; 1978 December 7-8; Provo, UT.

Great Basin Naturalist Memoirs Number 3. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University: 113-117. [3875] 29 . Stebbins, G. Ledyard. 1993. Cooperation in conservation of California's rare habitats and species. In: Keeley, Jon E., ed. Interface between ecology and land development in California: Proceedings of the symposium; 1992 May 1-2; Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA: The Southern California Academy of Sciences: 11-15. [21693] 30 . Stickney, Peter F. 1989. Seral origin of species originating in northern Rocky Mountain forests. Unpublished draft on file at: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula, MT; RWU 4403 files. 7 p. [20090] 31 . Thorne, Robert F. 1976. The vascular plant communities of California. In: Latting, June, ed.

Symposium proceedings: plant communities of southern California; 1974 May 4; Fullerton, CA. Special Publication No. 2. Berkeley, CA: California Native Plant Society: 1-31. [3289] 32 . U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2013. PLANTS Database, [Online]. Available: [34262] 33 . Vogl, Richard J.; Armstrong, Wayne P.; White, Keith L.; Cole, Kenneth L. 1977. The closed-cone pines and cypress. In: Barbour, Michael G.; Major, Jack, eds. Terrestrial vegetation of California. New York: John Wiley and Sons: 295-358. [7219] 34 . Wolf, Carl B.; Wagener, Willis W. 1948. The New World cypresses. El Aliso Series: Vol. 1. Anaheim, CA: Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. 444 p. [20740] 35 . Zedler, Paul H. 1986.

Closed-cone conifers of the chaparral. Fremontia. 14(3): 14-17. [18648] 36 . U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 2013. Endangered Species Program, [Online]. Available: [86564] 37 . Baldwin, Bruce G.; Goldman, Douglas H.; Keil, David J.; Patterson, Robert; Rosatti, Thomas J.; Wilken, Dieter H., eds. 2012. The Jepson manual. Vascular plants of California, second edition. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1568 p. [86254] 38 . de Laubenfels, D. J. 2009. Nomenclatural actions for the New World cypresses (Cupressaceae). Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature. 19(3): 300-306. [87295] 39 . Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 2013.

Flora of North America north of Mexico, [Online]. Flora of North America Association (Producer). Available: [36990] 40 . Little, Damon P. 2006. Evolution and circumscription of the true cypresses (Cupressaceae: Cupressus). Systematic Botany. 31(3): 461-480. [87294] Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N) Bur oak is a large, deciduous tree with a very wide, open crown. Usually wider than tall, the tree can exceed 100 ft. in height and width. The massive trunk supports heavy, horizontal limbs and rough, deep-ridged bark. Leaves up to 9 inches long with a central midrib from which branch veins lead into rounded lobes. Lobes separated by deep sinuses reaching, in some cases, to within 1/2 inch of the midrib. Lobes beyond the midpoint of the blade wavy margined and longer and broader than those toward the base.

Acorns large, up to 1 1/2 inches broad with 1/4 to more than 1/2 of the acorn enclosed in the cup. Cup with coarse scales and a fringed margin. The acorns of this species, distinguished by very deep fringed cups, are the largest of all native oaks. The common name (sometimes spelled Burr) describes the cup of the acorn, which slightly resembles the spiny bur of a chestnut. Bur Oak is the northernmost New World oak. In the West, it is a pioneer tree, bordering and invading the prairie grassland. Planted for shade, ornament, and shelter belts. Bur oak extends farther north than any other oak species and becomes shrubby at the northern and eastern limits of its range. Size Notes: Slow growing, large tree that grows to 100 feet (30.5 m). Leaf: Leaves dark green above, grayish-green with finely dense pubescence below.

Autumn Foliage: yes Fruit: Acorns annual; 1 - 3 acorns on stout peduncle 1⁄4 - 3⁄4 inch (6 - 19 mm) long; deep cup with grayish pubescent scales, scales near cup rim forming a fringe around the nut, enclosing 1⁄2 - 7⁄8 of nut; light brown, broadly elliptical nut, finely pubescent, 1 - 2 inches (25 - 51 mm) ￼￼￼- 54 - ￼long. Size Class: 36-72 ft. , 72-100 ft. Bloom Information Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May Distribution Canada: AB , MB , NB , ON , QC , SK Native Distribution: Saskatchewan east to New Brunswick, southwest to Texas, and north to Montana. Native Habitat: Prairies; open woods; sandy ridges; stream edges. Widely distributed and capable of withstanding a wide range of harsh conditions (one of the most drought resistant oaks) throughout eastern North America; usually found on limestone or calcareous clay.

Growing Conditions Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist , Wet Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8) CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium Cold Tolerant: yes Soil Description: Various soils & moisture conditions. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type, Limestone-based Conditions Comments: The species name macrocarpa, refers to the golf ball sized acorns of this tree. The leaves of bur oak also are large, so they are easy to rake. Bur oak is drought resistant, long-lived and reasonably fast-growing for an oak. Tolerates limey soils better than other oaks. Resistant to oak wilt and a number of other problems. Sensitive to root zone disturbance caused by construction. Benefit Use Ornamental: Shade tree, Attractive, Fast growing, Long-living. A good urban tree since it is resistant to air pollution and car exhaust. Use Wildlife: Attracts songbirds, ground birds and mammals. Substrate-insectivorous birds, Fruit-birds, Fruit-mammals, Fruit-rodents, Fruit-deer.

Use Food: Acorns (nuts) are edible after tannins are leached or boiled out. Gather nuts during the fall from September to October. Only gather the ripe tan-to-brown acorns, rather than the unripe green ones. remove bitterness, shell the brown, ripe acorns and remove any corky skin layers, dice the meat, and boil the chunks in water from 15 to 30 minutes until the water turns brown. Then pour off the water and repeat the process until the water clears, indicating that the tannic acid has been removed. During the last boiling, salt water can be added; then the acorns can be deep fried or mixed in a soup. Finely chopped acorn meats can be added to bread doughs and muffin batters. After the leaching process, acorn meat can be frozen. To make flour, the boiled acorn meat can be split in two and dried by slowly baking in a 200 degree oven with the door cracked to allow moisture to escape. Crush or grind and use as a thickener or a flour. Another method is to roast the fresh acorn to work well in a grinder or blender.

After grinding, place the flour into a cloth bag and boil to leach out bitterness. Leached acorns, after they are roasted until brittle, can be ground and used as a marginal coffee substitute. Use Medicinal: Native Americans used bur oak as medication for heart problems and other ailments. Use Other: This oak�s wood quality is similar to white oak and is often used for construction, flooring, and cooperage. Warning: Acorns (seeds of nuts) and young leaves have low toxicity if eaten. Symptoms include stomach pain, constipation and later bloody diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination. Interesting Foliage: yes Larval Host: Edwards Hairstreak, Horaces Duskywing butterfly Deer Resistant: No Propagation Description: Oaks are most often propagated from seed. No pretreatment is necessary. Plant immediately � outdoors or in deep containers to accomodate long initial taproot. The acorns sprout without a dormancy period and begin to germinate as soon as they fall from Seed Collection: Best quality acorns are picked or shaken from the tree. Collect when color has changed to brown. Best if sown immediately as acorns lose viability quickly in storage. Short-term storage in moist, shaded saw dust or sand.

Acorns to be sown immediately can be soaked in hot water for 15 min. to prevent weevil infestation. Stored seed should be fumigated with methyl bromide. Seed Treatment: 30-60 days at 41 degrees may be beneficial. Commercially Avail: yes Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey cypress) description Cupressus macrocarpa Monterey cypress, ciprés Monterrey ( Eckenwalder 1993 ). Taxonomic notes Cupressus lambertiana hort. ex Carrière 1855 ; Cupressus macrocarpa Hartw. ex Gordon var. lambertiana (Carrière) Mast. 1896; Callitropsis macrocarpa (Hartw. ex Gordon) D.P. Little 2006 ; Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (Hartw. ex Gordon) Bartel 2009 ; Neocupressus macrocarpa (Hartw. ex Gordon) de Laubenfels 2009 .

Description "Trees to 25 m; crown generally broadly spreading, especially on exposed headlands, fairly sparse, often composed of few major limbs from near ground, more upright in sheltered locations. Bark rough, fibrous. Branchlets decussate, 1.5-2 mm diam. Leaves without gland or sometimes with inconspicuous, shallow, pitlike, abaxial gland that does not produce drop of resin, not glaucous. Pollen cones 4-6 × 2.5-3 mm; pollen sacs 6-10. Seed cones oblong, 2.5-4 cm, grayish brown, not glaucous; scales 4-6 pairs, smooth, umbo nearly flat at maturity. Seeds mostly 5-6 mm, dark brown, not glaucous. 2n = 22" ( Eckenwalder 1993 ). Distribution and Ecology USA: California: the Pacific Coast at Carmel (near Monterey), in two groves, at Cypress Point and Point Lobos ( Peattie 1950 ). See also Thompson et al. (1999) .

Due to its rarity, it is of conservation concern. It is known from fossils to have been in other regions. It is much planted and commonly naturalized near the coast from central California north to Washington and in warm temperate and subtropical regions worldwide ( Eckenwalder 1993 ). Hardy to Zone 8 (cold hardiness limit between -12.1°C and -6.7°C) ( Bannister and Neuner 2001 ). Data from USGS (1999) . The species is moderately serotinous. It is normally dependent on fire in its coastal sage scrub habitat to cause opening of cones and dispersal of seeds, but some cones will open under conditions of moderate heat (such as on hot summer days) and some regeneration occurs in unburned habitat. However, fire suppression at Point Lobos is causing low regeneration and prescribed fire treatments will probably be necessary at some time to maintain a wide population age structure. This species forms both single species and mixed stands. In the latter, its most common associate is another narrow endemic, the Monterey pine ( Pinus radiata ). Big tree None of the largest trees occur in their native habitat.

The largest in the US was remeasured in January 2015 and found to be 31.1 m tall, dbh 475.8 cm, with a 33.8 m crown spread. It grows in the valley of Pescadero Creek, E of Pescadero, California (Matt Ritter email 2015.01.11). A much taller tree (height 48 m, dbh 122 cm) occurs in San Francisco, California ( American Forests 2000 ). The largest tree in Great Britain is 36 m tall, dbh 320 cm, in Strete Ralegh, Devon ( Mitchell et al. 1990 ). Some of the largest trees are ornamentals in New Zealand, where the species has been popular since the 1850s. The largest tree there, identified and measured in 2012, is in Awhitu, south of Auckland.

It is 23.8 m tall with a dbh of 463.1 cm and a crown spread of 29.5 m (Brad Cadwallader email 2012.04.14). Other very large trees can be found in Pukekura Park (IDS 1996), in Yatton Park, Tauranga ( Burstall and Sale 1984 ), in Awaroa (photo at left; Brad Cadwallader email 2009.10.03), and in Brooklands Park, New Plymouth (Robert Van Pelt email 2009.04.14). Oldest Jepson (1923) reports a maximum age of 284 years, but provides no details. Dendrochronology No record as of March 1998. Ethnobotany Observations The species is widely planted as an ornamental in California and often elsewhere in North America and Europe. In its native range, it is abundant and easily seen at the Point Lobos State Reserve a few miles south of Monterey on State Route 1. A Web search will reveal much information about the Reserve.

Remarks The species was collected, and seeds sent home to Europe, no later than 1838, when A.B. Lambert gave some seeds of unspecified provenance to the Horticultural Society. It went then by the horticultural name of Cupressus lambertiana, but was never formally described (Gordon 1849). The species was named by Theodor Hartweg, who collected it at Carmel Bay in July of 1846 (Hartweg 1847). Hartweg (1812-1871) was a German who spent 1845-1848 plant collecting in California at the behest of the Horticultural Society of London. Hartweg, like David Douglas , was a protege of William Jackson Hooker . He recounted his adventures in several issues of the Horticultural Society's Journal in 1847-1848. Hartweg had a highly productive career, collecting widely from 1836 to 1848 in Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Mexico, discovering many orchids and other remarkable plants.

His later years were spent as director of the Swetingen Gardens in Baden, Germany. His work among the conifers is commemorated in the alpine pine of Mexico and Central America, Pinus hartwegii . Citations Gordon, G. 1849. New plants, etc., from the Society's garden. 31. Cupressus macrocarpa. Journal of the Horticultural Society of London 4: 296-297. , courtesy of the Cupressus Conservation Project website. Hartweg, T. 1847. Journal of a mission to California in search of plants. Journal of the Horticultural Society of London 2: 187. , courtesy of the Cupressus Conservation Project website. [IDS] International Dendrology Society Yearbook 1996, page 92. Jepson, W.L. 1923. Monterey cypress. The Trees of California, ed. 2. , courtesy of the Cupressus Conservation Project website. See also Adams, R.P. and J.A. Bartel. 2009.

Geographic variation in the leaf essential oils of Hesperocyparis (Cupressus) abramsiana, H. goveniana and H. macrocarpa: Systematic implications. Phytologia 91(1):226-243. Farjon (2005) provides a detailed account, with illustrations.

Question: The Macrocarpa tree is native to what continent?
Answer: North America