SCIENTIFIC NAME: Quercus palustris

COMMON NAME: Pin Oak

GARDEN SIZE: 50–70 ft. tall x 40–60 ft. wide

GROWTH RATE: up to 2 ft. per year under ideal conditions

USDA ZONE: 4–8

EXPOSURE: Full sun

WATER & SOIL: Prefers medium to wet, loamy, acidic soils; tolerates poorly drained soils and some flooding but also adaptable to drier, urban conditions

HABIT (FORM): Medium-sized deciduous tree with a pyramidal shape when young, becoming rounded and oval with age; unique branching pattern with lower branches angled downward, middle branches horizontal, and upper branches ascending

FOLIAGE: Deciduous; glossy green leaves (3–6" long) with 5 bristle-tipped lobes and U-shaped sinuses; dark red to russet fall color; leaves often persist into winter on younger trees

FLOWERS: Insignificant; yellow-green male catkins and short-stalked female flowers

BLOOM TIME: March to April

PLANT ORIGIN: Northeastern and North-Central United States, Southeastern Canada

WILDLIFE SUPPORT: Provides acorns for wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and deer; valuable for habitat and cover. Oaks are one of the most important, if not the most important, host plants for local insects.

FERTILIZING: Fertilizer not recommended. If desired, you may top dress with no more than 1 inch of organic compost per season.

PRUNING: Prune in late winter to maintain structure and remove dead or damaged branches

USES: Shade tree, street tree, specimen tree, suitable for parks, woodland gardens, and rain gardens