Species northern pin oak
lime-green foliage with yellow midrib and brown branches

northern pin oak

Quercus ellipsoidalis

Northern Pin Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) is a medium to large deciduous tree that grows across much of the north central United States from Minnesota to Maine. Its mature height generally ranges from 30 to 60 feet and about half as wide, spreading its wide spreading branches gracefully. The leaves have 5 to 7 lobes and turn an attractive russet brown in fall. The bark is brown gray, scaly and smooth on young trees. It produces a nut-like acorn, and when mature the bark develops ridges, shallow furrows and interlacing cut patterns. This hardy tree is a popular street and shade tree in urban and suburban landscapes because of its handsome form and drought tolerance.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

Yellowish-green Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

watering

Northern Pin Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) should be watered deeply and infrequently. A typical watering schedule is every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the season and weather. In spring and summer, when the weather is warm and sunny, water the tree more frequently, enough to moisten the soil down about a foot. In autumn and winter, when the tree is dormant, reduce the watering and don't overwater. Make sure that the soil isn't soggy and saturated. If the soil is very dry, a deep watering may be necessary. It is best to water in the mornings and to provide a slow and steady stream.

sunlight

Northern pin oaks thrive in full sunlight, though they can thrive in partial shade. For optimal growth, they should get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, especially during spring and summer. Northern pin oaks should have some shade during the hottest hours of the afternoon during peak summer periods, and should not be subjected to prolonged periods of direct sun, such as throughout the day.

pruning

Northern Pin Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) should be pruned in the dormant season once a year, typically in winter when the tree is no longer actively growing. During this time, remove dead, broken and diseased limbs immediately as they are spotted. Carefully select limbs that cross and rub against each other to be removed, and also thin out the canopy, focusing on removing competing branches that will not become a significant part of the mature tree. Additionally, remove any branches that pose a safety hazard. Pruning should be done with sharp, clean pruning shears, making sure to cut above the branch collars and outside the branch bark ridges.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Northern pin oak typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map