Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) Description:Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) is a stately, fast-growing deciduous tree admired for its elegant pyramidal form, deeply lobed glossy green leaves, and vibrant red-bronze fall color. Native to North America, Pin Oak is a top choice for shade, specimen planting, and landscaping in wet or low-lying areas, thanks to its adaptability to moist soils and urban conditions. Its unique branch structure—with lower branches drooping, middle branches horizontal, and upper branches ascending—creates a distinctive, symmetrical silhouette. In autumn, the foliage transforms into a brilliant display of scarlet, bronze, and red, while small acorns attract wildlife. Pin Oak is low-maintenance, wind-tolerant, and ideal for parks, streets, and large yards. Plant Characteristics: Botanical Name: Quercus palustris Common Name: Pin Oak Type: Deciduous shade tree Mature Height: 60–80 feet (can exceed 100 feet in ideal conditions) Mature Spread: 25–45 feet Growth Habit: Upright, pyramidal when young; becomes more oval with age Foliage: Glossy, dark green, deeply lobed leaves with 5–7 pointed lobes; turns scarlet, bronze, and red in fall Bark: Smooth and gray on young trees, becoming darker and more furrowed with age Flower/Fruit: Insignificant yellow-green flowers in spring; small, rounded acorns in fall Light Requirements: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight) Soil: Prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil; tolerates clay and wet soils Water Needs: Moderate; tolerates occasional flooding once established Hardiness Zones: USDA 4–8 Maintenance: Very low; prune in late winter while dormant Resistances: Tolerates wet soils, wind, and urban pollution Wildlife: Acorns attract birds, squirrels, and other wildlife
