Quercus
palustris commonly called pin oak is a medium sized deciduous oak of the
red oak group that typically grows 50-70’ (less frequently to 100’) tall with a
broad pyramidal crown. Upper branches are ascending, middle branches are
somewhat horizontal and lower branches are descending. In the wild, the lower
branches of this tree are often shaded by other trees, eventually dying and
breaking off leaving persistent pin-like stubs, hence the common name. Trunk
diameter to 3’. Smooth gray-brown bark usually develops ridging with age. This
is a tree of lowlands and bottomlands that is primarily native to the Midwest
and mid-Atlantic States. It grows in woodlands, valleys, floodplains and stream
margins and drier uplands. Fruits are rounded acorns (to 1/2” long), with
shallow, saucer-shaped acorn cups that barely cover the acorn base. Acorns are
an important source of food for wildlife. Glossy, dark green leaves (to 5”
long) typically have 5 bristle-tipped lobes with deeply cut sinuses extending
close to the midrib. Leaves turn deep red in fall. Pin oak is perhaps the most
popular commercial oak of eastern North America, having been widely planted as
both a street and a landscape tree. Easily grown in average, medium to wet,
acidic soils in full sun. Prefers moist loams. Tolerates poorly drained soils.
Tolerates some flooding. Hardy in Zones 4-8.
Growing
Instructions for the Pin Oak
The seeds have
a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the fall or winter for
spring germination or they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions
and to break their dormancy at any time of the year. 1. Soak the seeds in water
for 24 hours. 2. Put the seeds in a ziplock bag. 3. Put the bag in the
refrigerator and leave it there for 1-2 months. 4. The seeds like moist,
well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand,
perlite or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot. 5. Sow the seeds 1 inch deep in
the soil. 6. Water the soil so that it is moist but not wet. 8. When the
seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.
Kevin (verified owner) –
WOW!! Not one dud in the bunch!! Shortly after planting they started growing ! These are really great packet of seeds!!!
Edward (verified owner) –
Great germination.
Tyler (verified owner) –
Great seeds, I now have squash everywhere from this one pack of seeds
Leo (verified owner) –
Great seeds, I now have squash everywhere from this one pack of seeds
Richard (verified owner) –
The product is firmly packed.