Pin Oak trees or Fagaceae Quercus palustris Muenchh. are easy to find in Virginia. They are fairly easy to identify be their leaves. The leaves are alternate on the branches. They are 3 to 5 inches long, and they are 5-7 lobes. The tips or ends of the lobes are bristled. The sinuses, or area between the lobes, is deep and C-shaped. In the fall, the leaves turn a from their usual dark green to a deep red. They are really showy and pretty.
Acorns: Food for Wildlife
Acorns are another way to identify trees. Pin Oak acorns are small. They are usually 3/8 to ½ inch long. The cup is shallow, and it does not rise up the side of the nut very far. Interestingly, it takes 16-18 months for an acorn to develop. However, once mature, these oak trees produce a lot of acorns. These acorns are desirable food for larger wild birds and white tailed deer.
Row of Pin Oak Trees at Point of the Rocks MD
Pin Oaks are pretty trees. The canopy grows in a pyramid shape. Mature trees are usually around 70-90 feet tall. In optimal conditions, they can reach 120 feet. There are several reasons why these trees are commonly used as ornamental trees. First, given appropriate spacing, their shapes are consistent. Second, they are adaptable, and they grow quickly. Finally, they are showy in the fall. These trees are in the parking lot at Point of the Rocks.
