Overcup Oak Tree

Overcup Oak Tree for Sale | Quercus lyrata Native Shade Tree

Overcup Oak Tree (Quercus lyrata) is a remarkable deciduous tree that will create great impact on your property, with green leaves and distinctive acorns that are nearly encased by their caps.

Plant Details | Overcup Oak Tree (Quercus lyrata)

Family: Fagaceae

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Water Needs: Moist

Height: 35 – 60 ft.

Spread: 35– 60 ft.

Growth Rate: Moderate

Bloom Time: Spring

Flower Color: Yellow

Wildlife Value: Attracts birds

How to Grow and Use Overcup Oak Tree in Your Garden

Overcup Oak Tree is a deciduous tree that is native to the Southern United States. It has interestingly lobed and shiny dark green leaves, with acorns that seem to disappear into their caps. Its botanical name, lyrata, is due to its lyre shaped leaves.

This hardy tree is an excellent addition to have on your property as a focal point or accent, as part of your woodland garden, or to create a shade garden or native garden.

Plant this tree in a location that has full sun or at least partial shade. This tree will grow the best with full sun; shade will limit its growth.

Plant this tree in moist, well draining soil that has an acidic pH. If changes are needed, you can make your soil more acidic by adding iron sulfate or sulfur.

Its bark is gray with ridges. In the spring, its flowers (catkins) are yellow and hang down from branches. Leaves tend to turn yellow to brown with the fall color change.

Water this tree thoroughly until it is well established in your yard. This tree can tolerate large amounts of soil moisture and occasional flooding, making it a good option for creating a rain garden on your property.

With its large canopy and branching, this tree will make a great habitat for plenty of nesting and cavity dwelling birds, including owls and woodpeckers. Other nesting birds will use its smaller fallen twigs to build their nests.

What Makes the Overcup Oak Tree Unique

Overcup Oak Tree is a great source of food for birds and small mammals, with its plentiful acorns that drop to the ground below.

This is a host plant for butterflies.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Height at Maturity

Over 25 Feet

Care

Overcup Oak trees thrive in well-drained soils and require moderate water, especially during dry periods. They are highly adaptable but benefit from occasional pruning to maintain shape. Fertilize annually in early spring to support healthy growth.

Plant Reproduction

Overcup Oak spreads through acorns, which fall and germinate

How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Trees

Bare root trees are shipped dormant without soil, making them lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to plant during the cool months of early spring or fall. To begin, soak the roots in a bucket of water for 4–6 hours before planting to rehydrate them. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil and ample space for the tree’s mature size.

Dig a hole twice as wide as the spread of the roots and deep enough to keep the root flare (where the roots begin to spread from the trunk) at or slightly above ground level. Create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole, spread the roots evenly over it, backfill with native soil, and gently tamp down to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting.

Keep the soil consistently moist (not soggy) during the first growing season, and apply mulch around the base—avoiding direct contact with the trunk—to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Stake the tree if necessary, and prune only to remove dead or damaged branches. With proper care, your bare root tree will establish quickly and grow strong for years to come.

We carefully package every plant to retain superior moisture during transit. Once prepared, orders ship the same day through UPS or USPS, with typical delivery in 2–4 days.

Returns are not accepted, but plants are reshipped if extended warranty insurance was purchased at checkout. Otherwise, all plants include a standard 5-day warranty after delivery.