Is the Pin Oak a Good Street Tree?

Size and Form

• The branches of the pin oak develop in such a way that the upper ones grow toward the sky, the lower ones droop downward and the ones in the middle portion of the tree grow out horizontally. This gives the pin oak an unusual and interesting form, making it suitable as a street tree. These oaks grow between 50 and 70 feet high and up to 60 feet wide, so planting them in succession along a roadway requires leaving enough space for them to expand and mature.

Leaves and Acorns

• Fall color is a feature of the pin oak tree, giving it appeal when planted alongside the street. The green leaves turn shades of red in autumn. The tree also generates a large crop of acorns, with some years' crop being larger than others are. Wildlife such as white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and different species of squirrels consume the acorns.

Growing Conditions

• It takes 15 to 20 years for a pin oak to mature, making it one of the fastest growing of the oak trees. Pin oaks are not at all difficult to transplant. They can survive some exposure to flooding, and pin oaks grow in soil that drains poorly. The tree does best in full sun and, like most oaks, it requires acidic soil to grow to potential.

Types

• Different cultivars of the pin oak are available for your landscape. You can utilize Green Pillar as a street tree. It features a narrow form and glossy foliage that provides reliable red fall color. Sovereign is a cultivar that lacks the lower, droopy branches. Crownright is similar in that it has no lower branches tipping toward the ground. Its limbs grow in an upright manner.