Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Saquon Barkley Plaque
Kirkkasik Bedesten inside
Kirkkasik Bedesten
Someshwar Temple
Someshwar Temple
Grilled cheese and tomato soup are soulmates.
The Palisades Restaurant
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
A skeleton on display contemplating its own mortality.
Kid Mai Death Awareness Cafe
This classic London pub has a surprising history behind it.
John Snow
The beef, Guinness, and oyster pie sports a rich, flaky crust.
The Guinea
Welcome to one of the only floating pubs in the world.
Tamesis Dock
This may be the oldest pie in the world.
St Helens 'Oldest Pie' at The Turks Head
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Decoy’s wines reflect the terroir of California.
How a Wooden Duck Migrated From the California Wetlands to a Wine Label
10 days ago
There’s more to the French capital than the Eiffel Tower.
Dear Atlas: What Are Some Non-Touristy Things to Do in Paris?
13 days ago
The plants around Liz Dauncey in this photo are not poisonous, but many common garden and houseplants are.
Are Some of Your Favorite Houseplants Poisonous? AO Wants to Know.
20 days ago
“There may be a collective sense of a dark loneliness,” Dahl says, referring to Norway’s natural landscape.
In Norway, Easter Means Tucking Into Crime Stories
20 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Missouri Columbia McBaine Bur Oak

McBaine Bur Oak

This majestic tree has survived 400 years of storms, droughts, and floods, and is a beloved natural landmark in Missouri.

Columbia, Missouri

Added By
Asher Ferguson
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The Great Burr Oak.   Heath Cajandig
The Great Burr Oak.   Heath Cajandig
Giant tree with my Mini car.   herrbesserwisser / Atlas Obscura User
Up   herrbesserwisser / Atlas Obscura User
Spring 2017   Fred37 / Atlas Obscura User
Great Burr Oak in winter.   Heath Cajandig
Great Burr Oak in fall.   Heath Cajandig
Placard for the tree   maibyers / Atlas Obscura User
McBaine Burr Oak   lauf33 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Near Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area stands mid-Missouri's greatest natural landmark. The stalwart tree has withstood centuries of storms, droughts, floods, and vandalism.

As the largest burr oak in Missouri, the tree is tied with another in Kentucky for the title of national champion (largest) burr oak tree. It would take four full-grown men to be able to wrap their arms completely around the trunk, which boasts an impressive 287-inch circumference. A huge gathering of picnickers could relax in the shade under the 90-foot-tall tree's 130-foot spread.

The tree is estimated to be between 380 and 400 years old, which means it’s older than all but the very first few European settlements in North America and has witnessed centuries of United States history. Lewis and Clark even passed by the tree on their journey up the Missouri River.

This tree is nothing if not resilient. As the only tree for 1,000 feet in any direction, it has survived multiple lightning strikes. In 1993, floodwaters swallowed the land and rose to six feet above the ground. On other years, droughts have threatened to parch the behemoth plant.

The tree has also sadly been the victim of vandalism, but efforts are being made to prevent further damage to the iconic oak. Because the tree is so old, scientists have tried to examine its genetic material to help prolong its life.

Related Tags

Trees Flora Plants Nature

Know Before You Go

From downtown Columbia, take Providence Road south until it turns into Route K. Follow Route K until it turns into Burr Oak road, then take Burr Oak Road until the tree is on your right.

Community Contributors

Added By

aferguson22

Edited By

sarahlsrose, maibyers, Kerry Wolfe, herrbesserwisser...

  • sarahlsrose
  • maibyers
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • herrbesserwisser
  • Fred37
  • lauf33
  • deanlooney

Published

April 5, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.columbiamissourian.com/archives/como-you-know-mcbaine-bur-oak-tree/article_69033a2f-1776-5303-a429-c57650447b58.html
  • http://www.columbiatribune.com/8608ed7a-3c01-11e3-848f-10604b9f6eda.html
McBaine Bur Oak
Burr Oak Rd
Columbia, Missouri
United States
38.899249, -92.464553
Get Directions

Nearby Places

BoatHenge

Columbia, Missouri

miles away

Devil's Icebox

Columbia, Missouri

miles away

Rocheport River Gnome

Rocheport, Missouri

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Columbia

Columbia

Missouri

Places 8

Nearby Places

BoatHenge

Columbia, Missouri

miles away

Devil's Icebox

Columbia, Missouri

miles away

Rocheport River Gnome

Rocheport, Missouri

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Columbia

Columbia

Missouri

Places 8

Related Places

  • Green arch in Fragas do Eume.

    Cabanas, Spain

    Fragas do Eume

    This enchanting natural park is a magical example of a temperate rainforest in Europe.

  • The Drago Milenario.

    Icod de los Vinos, Spain

    Drago Milenario

    This local emblem is the oldest and largest dragon tree in the Canary Islands.

  • A former doorway in the Anping Tree House.

    Tainan City, Taiwan

    Anping Tree House

    The tangled roots of a giant banyan tree have fully reclaimed the ruins of this abandoned warehouse.

  • Trollskogen

    Borgholm, Sweden

    Trollskogen (The Troll Forest)

    Crooked windswept pines give this old forest an enchanted and magical look.

  • Salento, Colombia

    Wax Palms of Cocora Valley

    The world's tallest palm trees look like the whimsical kind of plant you'd find in a Dr. Seuss story.

  • Cherry blossoms create enchanting flower tunnels.

    Bonn, Germany

    Bonn Cherry Blossoms

    Thousands of flowers create enchanting pink tunnels over the city streets.

  • Torrey pine grove on Santa Rosa Island.

    Santa Barbara County, California

    Torrey Pines of Santa Rosa Island

    Windswept and remote, this island was once the home of a rare mammoth and today is home to a rare tree.

  • The portal made of sticks at the Redwood Forest.

    East Warburton, Australia

    Redwood Forest Tree Art

    Woven tree art gives this towering Australian woodland a touch of mystical whimsy.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.