Quercus palustris (Pin Oak)

Common Name: Pin Oak

Quercus palustris, amore commonly known as Pin oak, is a tree in the red oak section (Quercus sect. Lobatae) of the genus Quercus. Pin oak is one of the most commonly used landscaping oaks in its native range due to its ease of transplant, relatively fast growth, and pollution tolerance.

It is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 18–22 m tall, with a trunk up to 1 m in diameter. Young trees have a straight, columnar trunk with smooth bark and a pyramidal canopy. By the time the tree is 40 years old, it develops more rough bark with a loose, spreading canopy. This canopy is considered one of the most distinctive features of the pin oak: the upper branches point upwards, the middle branches are at right angles to the trunk, and the lower branches droop downwards.

The leaves are 5–16 centimetres long and 5–12 cm broad, lobed, with five or seven lobes. Each lobe generally has several bristle-tipped teeth.

The tree was introduced to the UK in the early 1800s, and has adapted well, being planted in parks, large gardens, and avenues for its ornamental value.

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