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Quercus lyrata ''northern hardy'' - Overcup Oak courtesy Will Forster

Quercus lyrata (ex: Will Forster) - With handsome stature, classic dark green oak leaves and exfoliating bark manifesting at an early age it is a most worthy tree. Foliage does abscise as compared to species whose brown, dried leaves linger in winter. Many do not like this feature (marcescence) but personally I love the sound of winter winds in the dry leaves. Acorns are largely covered by the cap and inspires the common name. The Overcup Oak exhibits tannin brown autumn color. Its emergent growth is quite red, an attractive spring feature. This fine Oak is grown from acorns selected from a far north specimen in Lawrence County, Illinois. Trees of southern provenance are unlikely to survive or at least perform well in USDA zone 5. This selection will. Established potted Oak from acorn. Oaks are tap-rooted; in that, any we send out will not be large. In the wild this fine Oak can grow very large, 40 to 60 feet with the national champion standing at a dizzying height of 109 feet.