ENH-708
Quercus lyrata: Overcup Oak1 Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2
Introduction General Information Overcup oak grows slowly, sometimes to more than 100 Scientific name:Quercus lyrata feet in height in its native habitat but is more often seen Pronunciation: KWERK-us lye-RAY-tuh 30 to 40 feet high and wide, forming a rounded silhouette Common name(s): Overcup oak with an open crown, large-diameter branches, and a Family: Fagaceae twisted trunk. The dark green, leathery, lobed leaves have USDA hardiness zones: 6A through 9A (Fig. 2) fuzzy, white undersides and turn a rich brown color before Origin: native to North America dropping in fall. The nuts or acorns which are produced are Invasive potential: little invasive potential quite popular with squirrels, turkeys, wild hogs and deer. Uses: reclamation; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); street without The rough, reddish or gray/brown bark is attractive and is sidewalk; shade; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; tree lawn > 6 worthy of display with night-time lighting. ft wide; highway median Availability: not native to North America
Figure 2. Range
Description Figure 1. Middle-aged Quercus lyrata: overcup oak Credits: Ed Gilman, UF/IFAS Height: 30 to 40 feet Spread: 30 to 40 feet
1. This document is ENH-708, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Reviewed February 2014. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; and Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office. U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Crown uniformity: symmetrical Culture Crown shape: oval, round Light requirement: partial sun, partial shade, or full sun Crown density: moderate Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; slightly alkaline; Growth rate: moderate extended flooding; well-drained Texture: medium Drought tolerance: moderate Aerosol salt tolerance: unknown Foliage Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3) Other Leaf type: simple Roots: not a problem Leaf margin: entire, lobed Winter interest: no Leaf shape: oblong, obovate Outstanding tree: no Leaf venation: pinnate Ozone sensitivity: unknown Leaf type and persistence: deciduous Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases Leaf color: green Fall color: copper Fall characteristic: not showy Use and Management This oak should be grown with a single trunk and a few widely-spaced branches to mimic its growth habit in the wild. The first permanent branch can be located three to five feet from the ground if the tree will be planted in an open lawn area and allowed to develop a wide crown. For those planted as street trees or in areas requiring clearance for vehicles or pedestrians, the first permanent branch should be higher on the trunk. The interior portion of the crown often cleans itself of small branches, displaying the nice branch arrangement common on most specimens. Figure 3. Foliage Overcup oak should be grown in full sun or partial shade Flower on almost any soil, tolerating wet, poorly drained sites or acid, sandy soils. It would be well suited for planting in Flower color: brown poorly-drained urban sites, but is not normally available at Flower characteristics: not showy landscape nurseries.
Fruit Pests and Diseases Fruit shape: round No pests or diseases of major concern. Fruit length: .5 to 1 inch Fruit covering: dry or hard Fruit color: brown Fruit characteristics: attracts squirrels/mammals; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem
Trunk and Branches Trunk/bark/branches: branches don’t droop; not showy; typically one trunk; thorns Pruning requirement: little required Breakage: resistant Current year twig color: gray, brown Current year twig thickness: thick Wood specific gravity:0.63
Quercus lyrata: Overcup Oak 2