Pin Oak

Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) is the fast track to a genuine shade tree, reaching around 14m tall and 9m wide in a suburban garden over 10 to 15 years and more than 20m with age. Deeply cut leaves turn scarlet through autumn, it shrugs off frost and wind, and unlike most big feature trees it copes with heavy ground that sits wet in winter.

Why you'll love it

• Fast for an oak. One of the quickest growing oaks in cultivation, so shade arrives in years rather than decades.
• Serious autumn colour. In climates with cold autumn nights the fine cut foliage turns deep red before it drops.
• Takes wet feet. It tolerates heavy soils and winter waterlogging that would kill most shade trees.
• Cold and wind hardy. Hard frosts and exposed sites do not bother it.
• A tree for wildlife. The broad canopy gives birds cover and nesting height as it matures.

Where it works best

Shade tree. Plant it where a lawn, paddock or north facing living area needs summer shade. Being deciduous, it lets the winter sun back in.

Driveways and avenues. The straight trunk and pyramidal crown line up handsomely. Allow 8m to 10m between trunks so the 9m wide canopies just meet.

Feature planting. On a rural block or large garden it makes a long lived centrepiece. Keep it well away from paving, driveways and underground services, because mature pin oaks carry large surface roots.

Growing Pin Oak in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and room to spread. It performs best in cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean climates. Autumn colour depends on cold autumn nights, so in the subtropics it grows but colours modestly, and it is not a tree for the tropics.

Soil. Deep soil with reliable moisture suits it best, and it copes where drainage is poor. Avoid strongly alkaline soil, which can slowly yellow the foliage.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers. Established trees look after themselves in most seasons, though a deep drink during drought keeps the canopy full. Feed young trees with a complete fertiliser each spring.

Pruning. Train to a single leader early and lift the crown gradually by removing the lowest branches in winter. After that, leave it alone.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow Pin Oak from 300mm, 400mm and 500mm pots through advanced 45L, 100L and 200L trees to landscape grade 400L and 700L stock with instant height. Young pots establish fastest and cost least; the big sizes are for projects that cannot wait. Bought in the cooler months it may arrive bare or in autumn colour, which is normal.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect roughly a metre of new growth a year once established. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse all deciduous trees
• More trees and shrubs with autumn colour
• Compare fast growing shade trees
• Planting and care basics for new garden plants

Common questions

How fast does it really grow?

Expect around 14m in 10 to 15 years in good conditions, roughly a metre a year while young. Water and mulch early on make the difference.

Will it colour in a warm climate?

The scarlet display needs cold autumn nights. In cool and warm temperate gardens it colours reliably; in the subtropics the show is muted and brief.

Can I plant it near the house or driveway?

Give it generous clearance. Pin oaks develop large surface roots with age, so keep the trunk well away from paving, pools, pipes and foundations and let it grow in open lawn or garden.

Are the acorns a problem for dogs?

Yes, acorns are toxic to dogs if eaten, and mature trees drop them in quantity. Rake them up through autumn if your dog is a scavenger.

Does it hold its leaves in winter?

Young pin oaks often hold a coat of brown leaves through winter and shed them as spring growth pushes through. It is a family trait, not a sign of trouble.