Maximus Oak Acorns

Maximus is a seed source representing the most southern portion of the bur oak range mostly found in Texas. At my farm it includes the hybrids of this bur oak as well. Maximus produces massive acorns and are one of the most industrial looking trees with large thick leaves as well as acorns the size of golf balls or bigger. This seed form does grow well in my zone 5 location however after 30 years of growing it and having several trees over 18 inches in diameter and 40 ft. tall, they have not produced yet. However the same trees in South Carolina are very productive. So the seed source can stretch a bit but Michigan may be a bit too far.  I am hoping to evaluate this further in the years ahead. For now, an arboretum batch of this same seed source of which I grew over a thousand seedlings captured a few hybrids with white oak and those are quite productive. There is also a few of the crosses with 'Bing' that are productive as well. 'Bing' was a massive bur oak type not far from the Rio Grande river. Seedlings from it have done well here as well but only the hybrids of it have produced acorns. They are not as large but the trees share many of the traits with the large thick leaves and strong broad spreading branches. 

Maximus represents a very durable heat tolerant bur oak that could be used for acorn production as well as street or urban trees. The seed source from Texas is an amazing find as there are few such strong growing trees in what would be considered a difficult climate to establish in. The search for a large acorn means people are willing to put up with the massive caps as well. Here at my farm one tree that fruits, ripens very late and stays into the tree into November. As time goes on, I will post images of the trees and will make available scion wood of any that appear to have characteristics that are exceptional for growing in colder climates like Michigan.

Isn't it ironic? Think of this- a tree a few hundreds yards away from the southern border of the U.S. yet is perfectly fine growing in Michigan. I do not think that there is any plant that has such an expansive range and yet still able to grow with a minus 25F ever now and then. It is the same way with my Louisiana bald cypress trees. There is a certain physiological adaptation going on that is deeply imbedded with the genetics of the plant. A memory of sorts.  Just amazing really! Yet many believe local is better. Yet my trees do not fruit. Why is that? Is there such thing as local Texans. There is now. Welcome to Oikos Tree Crops.