Pin Oak
Quercus palustris · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Deeply lobed with 5 to 7 lobes, deeply cut sinuses extending almost to the midrib, wedge-shaped base
Margin
Lobed with bristle-tipped teeth on the lobes
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate with a prominent yellowish midrib and primary veins
Key Features
Deeply cut sinuses that reach almost to the midrib, bristle-tipped leaf lobes, lower drooping branches, and persistent dead branches along the lower trunk
Description
The Pin Oak is a medium to large deciduous tree known for its distinctive growth habit, featuring upper branches that grow upward, middle branches that grow horizontally, and lower branches that droop downward toward the ground. The leaves are deeply incised with sharp, bristle-tipped lobes, creating a very characteristic silhouette.
Habitat
Found naturally in wet, poorly drained soils, floodplains, and along streams, preferring acidic soils and full sun exposure
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from New England west to Ontario and Kansas, and south to Arkansas and North Carolina; widely planted as an urban street tree