Pin Oak

(Quercus palustris)

Interesting Information About Plant: 

     The pin oak is widely used for landscaping around highways and other places that are readily seen by many people. The distinct pyramidal shape, with the green glossy leaves make it an attractive plant. It originates from here in North America and grows well in a wet area and in areas affected by human activity. It requires wet and acidic soil to reach its full potential, and it is a rapidly growing tree if the requirements for the conditions are met. In the best conditions, which are in the south and the Midwest, the Pin Oak can grow to be seventy feet tall and forty feet wide if located in the open.

     The medical and edible uses of the plant are limited. The acorns secrete a powder that can be used for a thickening agent is soups and stew and Native Americans would grind the acorns to make coffee.. The pin oak is very common tree to this region of the world, and can be found throughout any area in the United States. The Pin Oak has a few medicinal uses. It has been used for the treatment of hemorrhages, chronic diarrhea, and dysentery. The bark has also been used to treat colds. Pin Oak has also been used as a bug repellant. In modern times the wood has been used for furniture and flooring, on interior trimmings, and as shingles.

Scientific Name: Quercus palustris

Family Name (Scientific and Common): Beech Family, (Fagaceae)

Continent of Origin: North America                                  

Plant Growth Habit: Large Tree

Height at Maturity: More than 10 Feet

Life Span: Perennial

Seasonal Habit: Deciduous Perennial                  

Growth Habitat: Full Sun 

Manner of Culture: Native Species

Thorns on Younger Stem: No

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Roundish   

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter: More Than The Diameter of a Coffee-Mug 

Produces Brownish Bark: Yes  

Bark Peeling in Many Areas: No  

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark: Lines Go Up-Down   

Type of Leaf: Flat, Thin Leaf  

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet): Between the Length of a Credit Card and a Writing-Pen    

Leaf Complexity: Simple 

Edge of Leaf: Smooth 

Leaf Arrangement: Alternate 

Leaf has Petiole: Yes 

Patterns of Main-Veins on Leaf (or Leaflet): Pinnate   

Leaf Hairiness: No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer: Green    

Change in Color of Foliage in October: Changes to Dry Brown

Flowering Season: Summer

Flowers: Single    

Type of Flower: Like a Pine Cone  

Color of Flower: Brown

Shape of Individual Flower: Bilaterally Symmetrical  

Size of Individual Flower: Smaller than a Quarter  

Sexuality: Male and Female on Same Plant

Size of Fruit: Smaller than a Quarter 

Fruit Fleshiness: Dry

Shape of Fruit: Acorn-like

Color of Fruit at Maturity: Brown or Dry

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels: Yes   

Common Name(s): Pin Oak

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One: Scarlet Oak, Chestnuts, and Beeches

Unique Morphological Features of Plant: “U” shaped between major lobes of the leaf. Young oaks can retain leaves through the winter though they are dead

Poisonous: None of Plant

Pestiness (weedy, hard to control): No

Page prepared by:

Jason Ford & Ryan Sanders                    

November 2004