So, this is the 4th season for a tree I got from the Arbor Day Foundation. The first year I planted it, it didn't get any leaves and died back to the ground pretty much. The 2nd year it sprouted from the base and grew a few inches. Last year it grew about 18 inches and is doing well now.

The leaves aren't looking what I expected from a Bur Oak(Mossy cup Oak) though. So what do you guys think?

I have no idea if that's a bur oak, but do I see evidence of a bit of anthracnose on the leaves, or am I losing my tiny little mind?

I looked again. There does seem to be a bit of anthracnose on 3 or 4 of the leaves. I guess I wasn't to worried about it. Should I be?

Not particularly. Anthracnose isn't deadly, but it weakens the tree a bit (which can leave it open to other issues that do kill it).

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They recommend a few cultural things to reduce the issue, but otherwise don't get hysterical about it.

On the up side, the fact that it has anthracnose does tend to indicate that it's a bur oak tree.

The tree is old enough to feed with organics (two seconds old is old enough for that). Even a gentle synthetic app wouldn't hurt it, but don't over do it--you don't want a lot of gangly, weak growth that could break in thunderstorms and winds. That would help it overgrow the fungal issues, and maybe strengthen the tree enough to drive the fungus back a bit.

I've got some burr oaks. At least two sub-varities. One has deeply lobed leaves similar to your pics, but, not the same shape in the way they are lobed. White oak family maybe?

I hear oaks will cross pretty readily. You might have a cross between two family members.

When it gets old enough to produce acorns, you'll have another way to categorize it.

Here is enough info to make most of us quit guessing (ha):

"The oak is a familiar enough tree but I wonder how many types of oak you think there are? Well, Alan Mitchell reckons that there are over 500 in the northern hemisphere!"

Thanks for the help. I was hoping since it came from the Arbor Day Foundation it would be what they claim. Oh well. I'm not sure I'll ever see it produce acorns. I've heard it's 25 years.

I have order numerous trees from Arbor Day over the last couple years.

2 years ago i orderd a purple leaf sand cherry. After growing one season it was evident it was not a purple leaf. Emailed them and then sent a new one last fall. Doing well now.

I also have had a few where - like yours - the top died off and it regrew from the base.

Well I finally did some more research and this is a Overcup Oak. It's not what I wanted but it is growing faster than a bur oak would have, which is good I guess. About 18" per year. It's not native to central Indiana though which I wanted. It's almost 4 foot now though so I guess I'll leave it.

Eric

ya , it can be