{"product_id":"overcup-oak-tree","title":"Overcup Oak Tree","description":"\u003ch3\u003eQuercus lyrata\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Overcup Oak is a majestic, broad-crowned deciduous tree that brings exceptional ecological value and distinct character to the landscape. Named for its unique, nearly full-encompassing acorn cup that covers up to two-thirds of the nut, this resilient native beauty thrives where other oaks struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn spring, it produces subtle yellowish-green catkins alongside emerging bright green, deeply lobed leaves with unique rounded lobes. By autumn, the foliage transitions to a rich yellow and warm brown before dropping to reveal rugged, flaking bark and a strong, sprawling branch structure that provides a striking silhouette against the winter sky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Ecological Footprint\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWildlife Sanctuary:\u003c\/b\u003e A premier ecological powerhouse, offering high-quality nesting habitat and shelter for squirrels, turkeys, and a wide variety of native birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Acorn Feast:\u003c\/b\u003e Produces large, unique acorns consumed heavily by wood ducks, deer, wild turkeys, and small mammals during the critical autumn and winter months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFloodplain Champion:\u003c\/b\u003e Exceptional at tolerating prolonged standing water and periodic flooding; its robust root system helps anchor riparian soils and prevent erosion along low-lying areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWetland Wonder:\u003c\/b\u003e Robustly thrives in bottomland forests, riverbanks, and poorly drained depressions, making it an ideal choice for managing boggy or seasonally saturated property zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Honest Harvest (What to Expect)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Perks:\u003c\/b\u003e Exceptionally tolerant of heavy clay and poorly drained soils, highly resistant to urban pollution, provides dense summer shade, and exhibits remarkable adaptability to wet environments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Caveats:\u003c\/b\u003e Grows at a slow to moderate rate and requires adequate space to mature into its grand, broad canopy. It prefers moisture-rich sites and is less drought-tolerant than other upland oak species when young.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/b\u003e Quercus lyrata\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/b\u003e Overcup Oak, Swamp Post Oak, Water White Oak\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/b\u003e 40-70 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/b\u003e 40-70 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/b\u003e Slow to moderate (12-18 inches per year)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/b\u003e 150+ years\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUSDA Zones:\u003c\/b\u003e 5-9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChill Hours:\u003c\/b\u003e *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSun Preference:\u003c\/b\u003e Full sun to partial shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Moist to wet, heavy clay, alluvial soils; highly tolerant of saturated ground\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/b\u003e Acidic to neutral (4.5-7.5)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/b\u003e High; thrives in consistently moist, wet, or periodically flooded conditions but adapts to normal moisture once established\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlower Color:\u003c\/b\u003e Yellowish-green catkins; spring\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFruit Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Large acorns enclosed mostly by a deep, woody cap; autumn\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePollinators:\u003c\/b\u003e *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/b\u003e Broad, rounded, open crown with a sturdy, upright trunk\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/b\u003e 40-50 feet apart for proper canopy development\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLandscape Uses:\u003c\/b\u003e Rain gardens, bottomland restoration, riparian buffers, large yards, parks, and wet-site mitigation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaintenance Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Low (requires minimal pruning once established)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Care Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydration:\u003c\/b\u003e Saturate the planting area thoroughly before setting the tree into the ground, and maintain consistent moisture during its initial root-establishment phase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSiting:\u003c\/b\u003e Choose a location that mimics its natural bottomland or floodplain habitat—areas with heavy clay or spots that receive regular runoff and stay damp are ideal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMulching:\u003c\/b\u003e Apply a thick 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and moderate root temperatures, keeping the mulch several inches away from the trunk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEstablishment:\u003c\/b\u003e Ensure the tree receives regular, deep waterings during its first two growing seasons. It relishes heavy moisture and handles temporary standing water far better than most shade trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePruning:\u003c\/b\u003e Prune only in late winter or early spring while the tree is fully dormant to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches and encourage a strong central leader.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFertilization:\u003c\/b\u003e Generally unnecessary. If your soil is severely depleted, a balanced, slow-release tree and shrub fertilizer applied in early spring can help support vigorous growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ATM Gardens","offers":[{"title":"1-2ft","offer_id":52098896134439,"sku":"ST02K1","price":41.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2-3ft","offer_id":52098896167207,"sku":"ST02K2","price":54.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3-4ft","offer_id":52098896199975,"sku":"ST02K3","price":65.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0988\/9094\/0711\/files\/OAKOVERCUP16.jpg?v=1789607123","url":"https:\/\/atmgardens.com\/products\/overcup-oak-tree","provider":"ATM Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}