Mark Twain Liberty Bur Oaks donated by The Hunter Family (Quercus macrocarpa)

 

Interesting & key characteristics:

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Growth rate: Medium

Height: Medium to large tree, up to 80 feet tall

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):

Human uses: Baskets, lumber, ties, fences, cabinets, flooring, furniture, boat decks, and fuel. Wildlife uses: Food (acorns), dens. Interesting facts: Bur oak trees may live as long as 600 years. The very large acorn is reflected in its scientific name, macrocarpa, which means “big seed”.

 

Sources: Fifty Common Trees of Missouri, The Missouri Conservation Department

 

The Story Behind the Tree:

 

The Mark Twain Bur Oak was special to the Grandparents of the Hunter Family (Jackson FS ‘21, Kate FS ‘19, Riley FS ‘17) because they love nature and historic trees. Mark Twain inspires them because of his writing and love for nature. Jackson Hunter remembers going to Mark Twain Cave in Hannibal, MO, and picking up acorns around the tree. Then the Hunter grandparents planted the acorns in their greenhouse in Knoxville, TN. Two trees were later donated and planted at Forsyth School in the front yard of Next House in the Spring of ‘19.