Editing Quercus macrocarpa (section)

==Ecology==
[[File:Andricus dimorphus galls on Bur Oak leaf.jpg|thumb|''[[Andricus dimorphus]]'' gall]]

The acorns are the largest of any North American oak{{r|silvics}} and are an important [[wildlife]] food; [[American black bear]]s sometimes tear off branches to get them. However, heavy nut crops are borne only every few years. In this evolutionary strategy, known as [[masting]], the large seed crop every few years overwhelms the ability of seed predators to eat the acorns, thus ensuring the survival of some seeds. Other wildlife, such as [[deer]] and [[porcupine]], eat the leaves, twigs and bark. [[Cattle]] are heavy browsers in some areas. The bur oak is the only known host plant of ''[[Bucculatrix recognita]]'' [[caterpillar]]s.

Many species of arthropods form [[gall]]s on the leaves and twigs, including ''[[Aceria querci]]'' (a [[mite]]) and numerous [[Cynipidae|cynipid wasps]]:  ''[[Acraspis macrocarpae]]'', ''[[Acraspis villosa]]'', ''[[Andricus chinquapin]]'', ''[[Andricus dimorphus]]'', ''[[Andricus foliaformis]]'', ''[[Andricus flavohirtus]]'', ''[[Andricus quercuspetiolicola]]'', ''[[Callirhytis flavipes]]'', ''[[Disholcaspis quercusmamma]]'', ''[[Neuroterus floccosus]]'', ''[[Neuroterus saltarius]]'', ''[[Neuroterus umbilicatus]]'', ''[[Philonix nigra]]'', and ''[[Phylloteras poculum]]''.{{r|fotcr2017}}

===Diseases===
[[Bur oak blight]] is caused by a fungal pathogen ''[[Tubakia iowensis]]''.{{r|mor}} It forms black pustules on the petioles and causes leaf discoloration and death, making the tree more susceptible to other secondary issues such as [[Armillaria root rot|''Armillaria'' root rot]] or ''[[Agrilus bilineatus]]'' (two-lined chestnut borer).{{r|mor}}