Species library · Plants & herbs

Foraging Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

Typically in season from July to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)

Photo: (c) Terry Woodward, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Terry Woodward · iNaturalist

When Bur Oak is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak July to October. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in September

Where it grows

Bur Oak is usually found in Woodland.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Similar species: White oak, Swamp white oak, Overcup oak. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Bur Oak into the field

Open Bur Oak in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Bur Oak: common questions

When is Bur Oak in season?

Bur Oak is generally in season from July to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Bur Oak grow?

Bur Oak is usually found in Woodland.

Is Bur Oak safe to forage?

Similar species: White oak, Swamp white oak, Overcup oak. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits