64 



Common Trees 



PIN OAK 



Quercus palustris, Muench 



THE Pin Oak, also called Spanish Oak and Swamp Oak, 

 is one of the most attractive oaks native to North 

 America. Its trunk usually remains unbranched and the 

 lateral branches take a horizontal position along the middle 

 of the trunk. At the bottom they are drooping and those 

 at the tip arc ascending. 



The leaves are simple, al- 

 ternate, 4 to 6 inches long, 2 

 to 4 inches wide, 5 to 9- 

 lobed. Lobes are bristle- 

 tipped and separated by deep 

 clefts. They resemble those 

 of the Scarlet Oak, but are 

 coarser and less lustrous. 



The flowers are similar to 

 those of other oaks. 



The fruit is a tiny acorn, 

 maturing in two seasons. 

 The cup is thin, shallow, 

 saucer-shaped, about J^ of 

 an inch across. The nut is light brown, often striped, about 

 14 of an inch long. 



The bark is rather smooth, grayish, or dark-brown. The 

 twigs are smooth, shiny, grayish-brown. The branches arc 

 thickly set, with stiff, pin-like twigs, whence its name Pin 

 Oak. The buds are small, smooth, light-brown. 



The wood is rather heavy, hard and strong. It warps 

 and checks freely. It is used for fuel, ties and general con- 

 struction work. 



The Pin Oak is found from Massachusetts to Michigan 

 south to Tennessee and Oklahoma. It is common through- 

 out Ohio. Rich bottomland, borders of swamps and river 

 banks are its favorite home. It is a medium-sized tree, reach- 

 ing a height of 100 or more feet and a diameter of 3 feet. It 

 is reported that sandhill cranes build in the tops of Pin Oaks, 

 near Columbus, about 140 feet high, apparently because they 

 are the tallest trees in the woods. It grows rapidly, produces 

 a fair quality wood, is well adapted for shade, park, and 

 street planting. 



PIN OAK 



Leaf and aeoms, one-third natural aiaie. 



Twig, one-half natural fize. 



