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Gerald L. Klingaman
Fagaceae
Quercus palustris
Pin Oak
Native to northeastern and central North America, pin oak is a tall, hardy, deciduous shade tree. Its crown is unique in that its bottom branches point downward, its central branches are horizontal and its upper branches point skyward. This tree has a strong leader and develops gray-brown bark that is smooth when trees are young and shallowly fissured when mature. The shiny, deeply lobed leaves of pin oak are yellow-green in spring, glossy dark-green in the summer and turn to scarlet, bronze-russet or red-brown in fall. If trees suffer inadequate growing conditions over summer they will produce little to no significant fall color. The wind-pollinated flowers occur in spring prior to leaf emergence. The acorns take two years to mature.
Pin oak performs well in full to part sun and well drained, acidic soil. If soils are not acidic enough trees will develop a yellowing of the leaves, or chlorosis. In the landscape it is best grown as a shade tree for naturalistic landscapes, parks and large yards. Although usable as a street tree, removing lower branches is needed to ensure proper and safe vehicular clearance.
7 - 3
4 - 8
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Tree
Full Sun, Partial Sun
60'-70' / 18.3m - 21.3m
30'-40' / 9.1m - 12.2m
Spring
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, Canada
Acidic, Neutral
Well Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Fast
Average Water
Pyramidal
Spring, Summer, Fall
Insignificant
Yellow Green
Brown
Striped/Striated
Light Green, Yellow Green
Green, Dark Green
Tan, Brown, Dark Red, Bronze
Brown, Gray
No
Yes
Coarse
Glossy
Fissured
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Birds
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