ENH-708 Quercus lyrata: Overcup Oak 1 Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson 2 1. This document is ENH-708, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Reviewed February 2014. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; and Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office. U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Introduction Overcup oak grows slowly, sometimes to more than 100 feet in height in its native habitat but is more oſten seen 30 to 40 feet high and wide, forming a rounded silhouette with an open crown, large-diameter branches, and a twisted trunk. e dark green, leathery, lobed leaves have fuzzy, white undersides and turn a rich brown color before dropping in fall. e nuts or acorns which are produced are quite popular with squirrels, turkeys, wild hogs and deer. e rough, reddish or gray/brown bark is attractive and is worthy of display with night-time lighting. General Information Scientific name: Quercus lyrata Pronunciation: KWERK-us lye-RAY-tuh Common name(s): Overcup oak Family: Fagaceae USDA hardiness zones: 6A through 9A (Fig. 2) Origin: native to North America Invasive potential: little invasive potential Uses: reclamation; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); street without sidewalk; shade; parking lot island > 200 sq ſt; tree lawn > 6 ſt wide; highway median Availability: not native to North America Description Height: 30 to 40 feet Spread: 30 to 40 feet Figure 1. Middle-aged Quercus lyrata: overcup oak Credits: Ed Gilman, UF/IFAS Figure 2. Range