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  • Deliveries completed for the 2024 season - New orders will be shipped starting in April 2025.
  • Deliveries completed for the 2024 season - New orders will be shipped starting in April 2025.

Bear Oak, Quercus Illicifolia

Regular price $2.50 Sale price $6.50
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385 in stock

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The bear oak or Bannister oak is a shrub or small tree of attractive appearance, with small leathery, dark green, glossy leaves, whitish below, taking on beautiful autumn colors of purple and dark red. It rarely reaches more than 8 meters in height. Its acorns are ovoid and are half the size of those of the red oak and are bitter. This species of oak has a slightly unbalanced appearance compared to other types of oaks and the species can form a thick thicket in its natural range. This oak is a dominant plant species in a number of locations and habitat types. In the state of Maine for example, it can be found in deciduous forests alongside red maple (Acer rubrum), gray birch (Betula populifolia) and aspen. This oak is adapted and spreads like wildfire when there is habitat disturbance. Therefore, it is not shade tolerant and requires wildfire or other disturbance to wipe out other tree species that tower above it so that it can receive sunlight.

It is highly recommended for small lots in towns and villages and where large trees will not be ideal such as under electrical wires or near houses. It will definitely add character in your restricted areas, your landscaping and your flowerbeds.

Hardiness Zones

  • 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Specific port

  • Spreading

Growth speed

  • Slowe

Flowering period

  • May

Number of years for production

8 years

Harvest month

  • Mid-September

Light

  • Full-sun

IMPORTANT: We do not deliver trees that are 7' and taller! (Pick-up at the nursery only). Orders placed from now on will be delivered in the spring. Please select your preferred delivery week at the bottom of the cart.

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