74 



Common Trees 



PIN OAK 



Quercus palustris, Muench 



npHE PlN Oak, also called Spanish Oak and Swamp Oak, 

 ■*■ is one of the most attractive oaks native to North Amer- 

 ica. Its trunk usually remains unbranchcd 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 are 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 Yi of 



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

 Yi of an inch long. 



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

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

 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 in the 

 lower Hudson valley of New York, northward to Dutchess 

 and Greene counties. Rich bottom-lands are its favorite 

 home. It is a medium-sized tree reaching a height of 75 

 feet and a diameter of 3 feet. It grows rapidly, produces 

 good wood, is well adapted for shade, park, and street 

 planting. 



PIN OAK 



Twig, one-half natural size. 

 Leaf and acorns, one-third natural size. 



