Pin Oak          KWER-kus pa-LUS-tris

• Broadleaf, deciduous tree, 60-75 ft (18-23 m), prominent central stem, pyramidal, descending lower branches.  Leaves alternate, simple, 7.5-15 cm long, 5-7 lobes, wide deep sinuses ("U" shaped in comparison with "C"-shaped sinuses of Q. coccinea), tips slightly lobed and bristle-like, glossy dark green; in fall foliage ranges from russet, bronze to brilliant red.   Blade tends to be "V"-shaped at attachment with petiole.  Many leaves hang on all winter.  Fruit (acorn) is small, about 12 mm long, the nut is enclosed only at the base by a thin, saucer-like cup; two seasons to mature.
• Sun.  It has a shallow root system so more easily transplanted than many other oaks.  Shows iron chlorosis (yellow foliage) on alkaline soils, therefore it should only be planted on soils that are at least slightly acid.  It will tolerate wet soils (one of the swamp oaks), but is best in rich, acid, well-drained soil.  One of the fastest growing oak (as much as 15 ft (4.5 m) in 5-7 years).
• Hardy to USDA Zone 4         Native range from Massachusetts to Delaware, west to Wisconsin and Arkansas.
• palustris: of swamps
• Oregon State Univ. campus: on Washington Way on the north edge of the football practice field, along railroad tracks.