Pin Oak (also known as Swamp Spanish Oak)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Fagales, Family: Fagaceae, Genus: Quercus, Species: Q. palustris · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family) · Simple, deciduous
Species
Quercus palustris
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Family
Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
Shape
Lobed with 5 to 7 deep lobes, featuring distinct bristle tips and very deep sinuses
Size
Approximately 5 inches long and 4 inches wide, well within the typical 3-6 inch range for mature leaves
Margin
Lobed with entire margins on the lobe segments, tipped with small bristles
Arrangement
Alternate
Rarity
Common
Color & Pattern
Medium green upper surface, paler green underneath, showing early signs of autumn browning on the tips and petiole
Venation Pattern
Pinnate with a prominent yellowish-green midrib and branching secondary veins
Texture & Surface
Smooth and glabrous above with tufts of hair occasionally in vein axils below, flexible and thin
Description
The Pin Oak is a medium-sized deciduous tree recognized by its distinctive lower branches that droop downward, upper branches that point upward, and horizontal middle branches. The leaves feature deeply cut sinuses extending almost to the midrib and terminate in sharp bristles. In autumn, foliage turns a rich bronze or red.
Key Features
Deeply cut lobes with bristle tips, lower branches that persist and droop downward, and small acorns with flat, saucer-like cups
Habitat
Wet soils, bottomland forests, poorly drained uplands, and floodplains, preferring acidic soils and full sun
Geographic Range
Native to eastern and central North America, from New England west to Kansas, and south to Arkansas and North Carolina
Condition Notes
Good overall condition, showing typical seasonal transition with mild browning at the leaf tips and margins
Interesting Facts
The name 'pin oak' comes from the numerous small, pin-like dead branchlets that persist along the trunk and larger branches, giving the interior of the tree a spiky appearance
Medicinal & Uses
Widely used as a shade and street tree due to its tolerance of urban conditions and clay soils; acorn meat can be processed for food by leaching tannins
Ecological Role
Provides critical cover and food for wildlife, including squirrels, wild turkeys, and various migratory waterfowl that consume the acorns
Similar Species
Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) and Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra); distinguished by Pin Oak's lower drooping branches, deeply cut sinuses, and smaller acorns
Foraging Tips
Look for trees with drooping lower skirts in damp bottomlands or urban parks; collect fallen leaves and acorns in autumn
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic to humans regarding contact, but raw acorns contain high levels of tannins which can cause mild to moderate digestive upset if ingested in large quantities without leaching