We’re incredibly excited about the possibilities of this hybrid. Burgambel oak may just be the “new sawtooth” our latitudinal extremists have been looking for!

Let us explain -- In the North, sawtooth oaks aren’t always as reliably productive nor do they grow as fast when you plant them above zone 6. In the deep South, sawtooth oaks grow like weeds and produce truckloads at a young age but can begin dropping as early as September, meaning the attraction may be long gone before the season begins.

Burgambel is easy to establish and begins producing acorns at a very young age, just like sawtooth, but…it drops its acorns a little later in the fall and is cold tolerant for folks in the North. Although bur oaks grow into massive trees, gambel oaks commonly mature to a scrubby little shrubby thing so you may think this hybrid slow growing and tiny, but “medium with an attitude” is more like it.

We recommend planting these guys separately, or mixed in a widely spaced plot with other non-timber type hard and soft mast trees. Burgambel will do fine growing just about anywhere but a wet site. Give them some TLC and they’ll surprise you!