Oak Trees In Montana: Native & Non Native


Montana is not known for its oak trees, but there are a few species that can be found in the state.

The Bur Oak is the only native oak species in Montana, and it is a transitional tree between open prairies and forests.

The natural boundary for this oak is near Alzada, in the southeastern part of the state.

Bur Oaks do well when planted in the open, and they are fire and drought-resistant.

They create wonderful wood products and are a great choice to add to your landscape.

Key Takeaways

  • The Bur Oak is the only native oak species in Montana.
  • The Bur Oak is a transitional tree between open prairies and forests, and its natural boundary in Montana is near Alzada in the southeastern part of the state.
  • The Garry oak and the Old Live Oak are non-native oak species that can be found in Montana.
  • The Garry oak is not native to Montana, but it can be found in the state.
  • The Old Live Oak is not native to Montana, but it can be found in the state.
  • The Bur Oak is a great choice to add to your landscape in Montana because it is fire and drought-resistant and creates wonderful wood products.

The Bur Oak

Oak Trees In Montana

The Bur Oak is a large, deciduous tree that can grow up to 100 feet tall.

It has a broad, spreading crown and deeply furrowed bark.

The leaves are large, up to 12 inches long, and have deep lobes.

The acorns are large, up to 2 inches long, and are an important food source for wildlife.

Non-Native Oak Trees in Montana

There are other species of oak trees that can be found in Montana, but they are not native to the state.

The Garry oak (Quercus garryana) is one such species.

It is not native to Montana, but it can be found in the state.

The Garry oak is a small to medium-sized tree that can grow up to 100 feet tall.

It has a narrow, conical crown and deeply furrowed bark.

The leaves are small, up to 4 inches long, and have shallow lobes. The acorns are small, up to 1 inch long, and are an important food source for wildlife.

Live Oak

The Old Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) is another species of oak tree that can be found in Montana, but it is not native to the state.

The Old Live Oak is a large, evergreen tree that can grow up to 80 feet tall. It has a broad, spreading crown and smooth, gray bark.

The leaves are small, up to 5 inches long, and have shallow lobes.

The acorns are small, up to 1 inch long, and are an important food source for wildlife.

Before You Go

If your looking to buy oak trees or any other type of tree, I highly recommend NatureHills.comOpens in a new tab..

They always have sales and discounted nursery stock and are well worth your time to check out.

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