Pin Oak
Quercus palustris · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Lobed with 5 to 7 deep, narrow lobes that have bristle tips
Margin
Lobed with bristle-tipped teeth along the margins
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement on twigs
Venation
Pinnate venation with a prominent pale midrib and main lateral veins extending into the lobes
Key Features
Deeply cut sinuses extending almost to the midrib, bristle-tipped lobe margins, distinctive lower drooping branches on mature trees, and small acorns with saucer-like caps
Description
The Pin Oak is a medium-sized deciduous tree known for its distinctive growth habit, featuring upper branches pointing upward, middle branches horizontal, and lower branches drooping downward toward the ground. The leaves are deeply lobed with bristle tips, turning an attractive bronze-red in autumn. The tree produces small, round acorns favored by wildlife.
Habitat
Typically found in moist to wet bottomland soils, floodplains, and poorly drained upland depressions; prefers acidic soils and full sun
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from New England west to Kansas, and south to Arkansas and North Carolina