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Bur Oak BBY.JPG

Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)

 

Interesting & key characteristics:

Lives for more than 200–300 years. 

Height: up to 80 ft tall and a diameter of 5 ft or more. 

Fruit: Acorns have a scaly cup with hairy fringe at the rim.

Leaves: Deciduous, can be two different shapes on the same tree.

Bark: Gray-brown, thick, deeply grooved

 

Unique benefits (how it helps our planet):

It survives in dry, mineral-poor soils as well as wet soils. Its thick bark protects it from fire. The Bur Oak tree has acorns that provide food for wildlife life like squirrels and it also provides dense shade. It also is resistant to heat and pollution. 

 

Source: Fifty Common Trees of Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation

 

The Story Behind the Tree:

A long time ago there was a teacher at Forsyth named Larele Kemp. He was not just a teacher to his students; he was someone they looked up to and admired greatly.  Mr. Kemp taught kindergarten, his students always had fun there, and he loved his job. A lot of things make him special such as his love of music and he loved to sing. In fact, his favorite song to sing to the kids was the Roly Poly song. Mr Kemp was known around the school for his love of working with kids and most of all his love of outdoors. He was also known for strangely liking pickle juice. Overall, Mr. Kemp did so much for our community and will always be remembered. This Bur Oak tree was planted in his honor.

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