Quercus palustris Münchh.

Pin Oak

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Pin Oak is a non-native deciduous tree in the Beech family (Fagaceae). It is native from Arkansas-Tennessee-Virginia north and eastwards to southern Canada. It is commonly cultivated as a street tree in cities, in parks, and on college campuses in Alabama. Pin Oak is a small to medium sized deciduous tree reaching heights of 50-70 feet. The bark is light grayish brown with broad fissures. The inner bark is pink. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, elliptic to oblong in outline, with 5-7 lobes with deeply cut sinuses that extend close to the midrib. The leaves are glabrous except for dense axillary tuffs of pale hairs. Leaves turn red before falling in the autumn. Flowers are produced in unisexual inflorescences clustered at the base of new growth. Staminate flowers are in drooping yellowish catkins. Pistilllate flowers are 1 per cupule. The fruit is an acorn. The acorn has a thin saucer shaped cap covering ¼ of the nut. The nut is light brown with darker brown striations. Acorn production is biennial. Pin Oak is commonly available from nurseries. It prefers a moist, loamy soil in full sun. Pin Oak tolerates poorly draining soils and air pollution, but does not do well in basic soils or deep, dry sandy soils. It is relatively fast growing, but short lived.—A. Diamond

This species is commonly cultivated in cities, college campuses, etc. It is not considered native to Alabama although it is possible that native populations could be discovered in the northern tier counties.

Not Native FACW (NWPL) G5 (Global Rank)

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