Overcup Oak – 15 gal

Common names: Overcup Oak, Swamp Post Oak, Water White Oak, Swamp White Oak

The overcup is highly attractive with a rounded crown and upswept lower branches. The Latin species name, lyrata, means “lyre-shaped” which refers to the shape of the leaves being narrower near the limb widening in a slightly rounded curve like a lyre or violin.

It is not one of the more popular oaks for landscaping but its popularity is gaining due to its beautiful shape and interesting acorns.

Overcup Oak Native Range

The overcup oak grows across the Gulf Coast states into the Mississippi Valley to southeastern Oklahoma, southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, southwestern Indiana, and western Kentucky.

It tolerates flooding and wet feet so it thrives in these states that have alluvial bottomland, swamps, and other wetter areas though it can also tolerate dry conditions.

General Characteristics of Overcup Oak

• Tree Size: Medium to large tree
• Growth rate: medium, about 13″ – 24″ per year
• Exposure: sun to part shade
• Fruit Characteristics: acorns about 1″ to 1-1/2″ with coarse-textured cap covering almost the entire nut
• Height: generally 60-90 feet, rarely over 100 feet, but can occasionally grow to 155 feet
• Width: spreads 35 – 50 feet
• Plant Character: deciduous
• Heat Tolerance: very high
• Water Requirements: high
• Soil Requirements: can grow in acidic, loamy, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils. The overcup refers well-drained conditions, but can withstand considerable flooding and wet conditions.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9a

Leaf Shape & Habit

Leathery deep green leaves turn a yellow-brown in fall. The leaves of an overcup oak fall sooner than other oaks.

• Leaf Retention: Deciduous
• Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
• Leaf Complexity: Simple
• Leaf Shape: Oblong
• Leaf Venation: Pinnate
• Leaf Margin: Lobed
• Leaf Base: Cuneate

Bark, Limbs & Canopy

The overcup oak has a highly attractive symmetrical, rather formal shaped canopy around a central trunk with uniform branching.

The overcup oak’s bark is gray brown (can be reddish brown in some areas, but in Texas us gray brown) with deep furrows and scaly plates or ridges.

 

Flowers, Fruits, & Seeds

Flowers in spring around April in Texas. Male are yellow-green, barely noticeable flowers that form in catkin clusters that hang from the tips of the limbs. Female flowers are little spikes that form at the same time. Self-pollinated and pollinated by other trees by the wind.

The overcup oak’s acorn is unmistakable. The thick, coarse-textured cap covers almost the entire nut. The acorns are large at 1″ to 1-1/2″. Acorns are produced annually.

Habitat & Conservation

The overcup oak attract migratory waterfowl.

Overcup oak acorns are a preferred food for squirrels, smaller rodents, wild turkeys, hogs, and white-tailed deer.

The wood of overcup oak is popular for white oak lumber.