Overcup Oak Tree for Sale | Quercus lyrata Native Shade Tree
Overcup Oak Tree (Quercus lyrata) is a remarkable deciduous tree that will create a 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 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 many butterflies.
Customer Reviews
TN Nursery sent me a beautiful Overcup Oak tree that is now thriving in my wetland restoration area. This species is not only flood-tolerant but also incredibly important for supporting local ecosystems. The tree arrived in excellent shape, and the roots were healthy and hydrated. I highly recommend TN Nursery for high-quality native hardwoods.
I ordered an Overcup Oak tree from TN Nursery to help stabilize a wet area in my backyard, and it’s doing incredibly well. The tree arrived in perfect dormant condition and showed vigorous new growth within two weeks of planting. Their selection of flood-resistant native trees is unmatched.
This Overcup Oak tree from TN Nursery is exactly what my landscape needed. It’s a perfect tree for attracting birds and pollinators while also surviving the moist conditions near my pond. TN Nursery delivered on quality, price, and speed of delivery. This is one of the best native trees I’ve ever planted.
I’m so happy with the Overcup Oak tree I received from TN Nursery. It’s thriving in my backyard where drainage is a bit of an issue. This native oak is incredibly resilient, and I can already see strong growth. TN Nursery provided excellent customer support and great care in packaging.
I did a lot of research before purchasing my Overcup Oak, and TN Nursery came highly recommended. The tree was well packaged, the roots were still moist upon arrival, and it had no signs of stress. It’s now growing steadily and already attracting wildlife. This species is great for wetland planting and TN Nursery’s quality can’t be beat.
Is overcup oak a good tree?
Yes, the Overcup Oak is an excellent tree known for its strength and adaptability. Overcup Oaks thrives in both wet and dry soils, making it versatile for many landscapes. Its rich green leaves and sturdy form provide lasting beauty and shade for generations.
How fast do overcup oak trees grow?
Overcup Oak trees grow at a moderate rate, adding about one to two feet per year. They develop strong trunks and broad canopies as they mature. With good sunlight and soil, they become impressive shade trees with lasting appeal.
Do overcup oaks need full sunlight?
Yes, Overcup Oaks grow best in full sunlight, which helps them develop strong branches and dense foliage. They also adapt well to partial shade if needed. With plenty of light, they thrive and create beautiful, long-lasting shade trees.
Exposure
The Overcup Oak Tree thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily but can tolerate some shade, particularly in hot climates. Ensure it gets adequate light for robust growth and optimal health.
Height at Maturity
Over 25 Feet
Usage
Shade
Shipped As
Bare-root
Ships
UPS
Planting Zones
5-9
How To Grow
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.
