Overview & Description

The Top Gun™ Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa ‘ByDur’) is a vigorous, fast-growing cultivar of the classic native Bur Oak, selected for its superior straight central leader and strong, upright pyramidal form. It retains the species’ iconic traits: massive, fringed acorns; thick, corky bark that becomes deeply furrowed with age; and large, lobed, leathery leaves that turn yellow-brown in autumn. This improved selection offers the rugged beauty and longevity of the species with a more predictable, robust structure.

Growth & Size

This variety exhibits a strong, upright, pyramidal growth habit with a straight central leader. It is a fast-growing tree, typically reaching a mature size of about 50 to 60 feet in height with a spread of 30 to 40 feet. It grows more quickly than the species, reaching significant size sooner.

Additional Notes

It blooms in spring with inconspicuous catkins. Exceptionally hardy to Zone 3, it is drought-tolerant and adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils, including clay and alkaline conditions. An outstanding choice for large landscapes, parks, acreages, windbreaks, or as a specimen or boulevard tree where quick shade, majestic presence, and structural integrity are desired.