Family: Fagaceae
Author: Münchh.
Bibliography: Hausvater 5: 253 (1770)
Year: 1770
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Quercus
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: S. Ontario to NC. & E. U.S.A.,
Description
The Pin Oak, scientifically known as Quercus palustris, is a prominent and widely recognized species within the family Fagaceae. This remarkable tree is distinguished by its adaptive characteristics and notable presence in diverse regions, primarily spanning from Southern Ontario through North Carolina, and extending across the Eastern United States.
Morphologically, the Pin Oak is characterized by a pyramidal shape during its youth, gradually adopting a more rounded form as it matures. Its deeply lobed leaves, displaying a rich green hue, turn to vivid reds and browns in the autumn, offering a striking seasonal transformation and strong ornamental appeal. The bark is typically smooth and gray in its younger stages, becoming furrowed with age.
A key feature of the Pin Oak is its acorns, which serve as a vital food source for various forms of wildlife, including birds and mammals. These acorns are relatively small and have a shallow, saucer-like cup, which helps facilitate their distribution by animals, thus aiding in the tree’s reproduction.
Ecologically, Quercus palustris is quite versatile. It thrives in moist, poorly-drained soils, which is indicative of its scientific epithet ‘palustris’, meaning ‘of marshes’. This adaptability allows it to establish itself in a range of environments from wetlands to upland areas, although it prefers full sun exposure to reach optimal growth. Its robust nature and tolerance to urban conditions make it a popular choice for landscaping in cities and parks.
Despite its adaptability, the Pin Oak relies on specific conditions for health and vitality. It’s prone to iron chlorosis when planted in soils with high pH levels, leading to yellowing leaves due to iron deficiency. Appropriate soil management, including pH adjustment and iron supplements, can mitigate this condition and ensure the tree’s longevity and aesthetic presence.
Quercus palustris continues to be a subject of botanical interest and environmental significance. Its longstanding history, first documented by Hausvater in 1770 and classified by Münchh., underscores its enduring importance in both natural ecosystems and human-managed landscapes. From its ecological contributions to its ornamental value, the Pin Oak serves as a vital and vibrant component of the North American flora.
Common Names
Eng: oak, pin oak, pin-oak, water-spanish-oak, swamp pin oak, swamp oak
Dan: sump-eg
Deu: sumpf-eiche
Por: carvalho, carvalho-da-américa, carvalho-do-pântano, carvalho-dos-pântanos
Swe: kärrek
Nld: moeraseik
Fra: chêne des marais
En: Pin oak, Oak, Pin-oak, Water-spanish-oak, Swamp pin oak, Swamp oak
Af: Moeraseik
Ar: بلوط سبخي
Eu: Zingira-haritz
Be: Дуб балотны
Bg: Блатен дъб
Ca: Roure dels pantans
Zh: 沼生栎
Cs: Dub bažinný
Da: Sump-Eg
Nl: Moeraseik, Moeras-Eik
Fi: Otatammi
Fr: Chêne des marais, Chêne à épingles
De: Sumpf-Eiche, Nadeleiche, Sumpfeiche
Hu: Amerikai mocsártölgy
Is: Mýraeik
It: Quercia delle paludi
Lv: Purva ozols
Lt: Pelkinis ąžuolas
No: Sumpeik
Fa: بلوط باتلاقی
Pl: Dąb błotny
Pt: Carvalho, Carvalho-da-américa, Carvalho-do-pântano, Carvalho-dos-pântanos
Ru: Дуб болотный
Sr: Амерички мочварни храст
Es: Roble de los pantanos, Roble de pantano
Sv: Kärrek
Zh-tw: 沼生櫟
Tr: Bataklık meşesi
Synonyms
- Quercus palustris var. heterophylla (Cockerell)
- Quercus rubra var. palustris ((Münchh.) Kuntze)
- Quercus rubra var. dissecta (Lam.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Missouri (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Austria (introduced)
- Denmark (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Hungary (introduced)
- Romania (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Jan 16, 2018 by Luis Miguel González (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 21, 2022 by michel camps (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 10, 2021 by Chuck Alvarado (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2020 by Sandra Clermont (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2017 by Patrick MOREAU (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Nov 4, 2020 by Gian Paolo Maraschi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2020 by alberto rodriguez (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 13, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 11, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 14, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 29, 2021 by PapyDan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2020 by Sandra Clermont (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 11, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 14, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Apr 28, 2021 by Nadia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2021 by mwat58 (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 2, 2019 by Philippe Beerschneider (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 29, 2021 by Claudia Zbr (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 13, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Oct 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 12, 2022 by Jens (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2021 by PapyDan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 11, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 14, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 19, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Annick LARBOUILLAT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 31, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2020 by lindsay watson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2020 by Sandra Clermont (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8313153)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:359933-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Quercus palustris Münchh.)