Quercus gambelii × macrocarpa ∙ BurGambel Oak

Latin Name: Quercus macrocarpa × gambelii 
Common Name: BurGambel Oak

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^{CURRENT RANGES:
Q. gambelii                                                                  Q. macrocarpa}
 
Family: Fagaceae
Division: White
Native range: "Presumably these two species hybridized during a period of past sympatric association."*
Introduced:
Sun/Shade: sun-light shade
Height × Width: 25-40’× 25-45’
Zones: 3-8

Flower: Catkin

Leaves: Lustrous and deep green

Fruit: Produces acorns as early as four years.

Buds:

Bark: deeply ridged and furrowed

Wildlife: as for the two species, birds and large and small mammals.

Disease issues: none serious

Cultural Uses:

Folklore:

Notes: A naturally occuring hybrid and a tough heat- and drought-tolerant tree. A cross between our beloved native Bur Oak and Gambel Oak of the southwest.

Where to find Quercus gambelii × macrocarpa in Maxwell Arboretum:


A MAN AND A TREE: FRANCIS HASKINS AND THE BURGAMBEL OAK:

Do you want an oak tree but don’t think you have the room? Here’s a great option: Quercus gambellii × macrocarpa (Burgambel Oak) is a naturally occurring hybrid between our native Nebraska Bur Oak and the Gambel Oak, a small shrubby oak native to the Four Corners states. It’s tough as nails, drought tolerant, and has large Bur Oak-type leaves and produces handsome acorns when young. 25-40’ ×  25-45’

I planted our specimen in the arboretum on May 17, 1995 with a 44” truck-mounted tree spade. It’s happy and healthy.



The Maxwell Arboretum tree is dedicated to their children and grandchildren by Francis and Dorothy Haskins. Francis Haskins is a long-time supporter of the arboretum and has been a member of the Friends of Maxwell Arboretum for decades. He is Professor Emeritus of Agronomy with a distinguished career in plant breeding; having introduced numerous improved species, including many Sorghastrum nutans cultivars (Indiangrass) with improved grazing nutrition.

“Francis Haskins joined the University of Nebraska faculty in 1953 to help establish the foundation for agronomy teaching and research programs in cytogenetics (study of the structure and function of cells), quantitative genetics and biochemical genetics. Throughout his career, he taught advanced genetics, including physiological genetics, and contributed to agriculture in Nebraska and the country in various ways. He trained many students who are now respected scientists with the USDA, agriculture industry and universities across the country. In recognition of his academic leadership, Haskins was named the George Holmes Professor of Agronomy in 1967 and received numerous other awards.” (https://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/todayatunl/75/731) He retired in 1988.

I’ve known Francis for many years and he is a warm, generous, and gentle man. If you come to the Friends’ spring and fall events and see a small, dapper gentleman, that would be him. Haskins and his wife established a permanently endowed professorship fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation. It generates an annual stipend for research and program support in plant genetics. "I feel a great amount of indebtedness to the University of Nebraska. I was always so grateful for the endowed professorship awarded to me, and I wanted to give back in some way after enjoying my tenure here."

Francis Haskins died in April, 2021.
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* For more information on this hybrid, see Jack Maze

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_{All images in Maxwell Arboretum unless otherwise noted.}

Foliage and Immature Acorns,
^{Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org}

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