Pin Oak (quercus Palustris)

Distinguishing characters: Its method of *branching* will characterize

the tree at a glance. It develops a well-defined _main_ ascending

_stem_ with numerous _drooping_ side _branches_ as in Fig. 63. The

buds are very small and sharp pointed and the leaves are small as in

Fig. 64. The bark is dark, firm, smooth and in close ridges. The

acorn is small and carries a light brown, striped nut, wider than

long and bitter. The cup is shallow, enclosing only the base of the

nut.

Form and size: The pin oak is a medium-sized tree in comparison with

other oaks. It develops a tall, straight trunk that tapers

continuously through a pyramidal crown of low, drooping tender,

branches.

Range: Eastern North America.

Soil and location: It requires a deep, rich, moist soil and grows

naturally near swamps. Its roots are deep and spreading. The tree

grows rapidly and is easily transplanted.

Enemies: None of importance.

Value for planting: The pin oak is an extremely graceful tree and is

therefore extensively used for planting on lawns and on certain

streets where the tree can find plenty of water and where conditions

will permit its branches to droop low.

Commercial value: The wood is heavy and hard but coarse grained and

liable to check and warp. Its principal use is in the construction

of houses and for shingles.

Tree Studies

How To Identify Trees
Group I The Pines
The White Pine (pinus Strobus)
The Pitch Pine (pinus Rigida)
The Scotch Pine (pinus Sylvestris)
Group Ii The Spruce And Hemlock
The Norway Spruce (picea Excelsa)
Hemlock (tsuga Canadensis)
Group Iii The Red Cedar And Arbor-vitae
Red Cedar (juniperus Virginiana)
Arbor-vitae; Northern White Cedar (thuja Occidentalis)
Group Iv The Larch And Cypress
The European Larch (larix Europaea)
Bald Cypress (taxodium Distichum)
Group V The Horsechestnut, Ash And Maple
The Horsechestnut
The White Ash (fraxinus Americana)
Sugar Maple (acer Saccharum)
Silver Maple (acer Saccharinum)
Red Maple (acer Rubrum)
Norway Maple (acer Platanoides)
Box Elder (acer Negundo)
Group Vi Trees Told By Their Form: Elm, Poplar, Gingko And Willow
American Elm (ulmus Americana)
Lombardy Or Italian Poplar (populus Nigra, Var Italica)
Gingko Or Maidenhair Tree (gingko Biloba)
Weeping Willow (salix Babylonica)
Group Vii Trees Told By Their Bark Or Trunk: Sycamore, Birch, Beech,
Blue Beech, Ironwood, And Hackberry
The Sycamore Or Plane Tree (platanus Occidentalis)
Gray Or White Birch (betula Populifolia)
American Beech (fagus Americana)
Blue Beech Or Hornbeam (carpinus Caroliniana)
Hackberry (celtis Occidentalis)
Group Viii The Oaks And Chestnut
White Oak (quercus Alba)
Black Oak (quercus Velutina)
Red Oak (quercus Rubra)
Pin Oak (quercus Palustris)
Chestnut (castanea Dentata)
Group Ix The Hickories, Walnut And Butternut
Shagbark Hickory (hicoria Ovata)
Mockernut Hickory (hicoria Alba)
Black Walnut (juglans Nigra)
Group X Tulip Tree, Sweet Gum, Linden, Magnolia, Locust, Catalpa,
Dogwood, Mulberry And Osage Orange
Tulip Tree (liriodendron Tulipifera)
Sweet Gum (liquidambar Styraciflua)
American Linden (tilia Americana)
The Magnolias