Pin Oaks are among the most popular shade trees and are often chosen for lawns, public open spaces, golf courses and avenue plantings. Their distinctive pyramidal shape and horizontal branching pattern give landscapes a rather formal look. Branches are long and slender, and the strong central leader is maintained to the top.

Many people think pin oak got its name from this pyramidal growth habit, but the name appears to date back to the time when this hard, straight-grained, easily split wood was cut into slender "pins" or "pegs" that were once used to fasten the timber frameworks of buildings. (This according to "Fall Color and Woodland Harvests," by C. Ritchie Bell and Anne H. Lindsey.)

Pin oak leaves are glossy dark green above and lighter green beneath. Lobes are deeply cut, giving the leaves a lacy appearance. Borne on petioles up to two inches long, leaves flutter even in a light breeze. Fall color is somewhat variable, ranging from rusty orange to red. In areas of mild temperatures, leaves stay on the trees well into winter.

This native of the Eastern U. S. is rated hardy to Zone 4. It adapts well to many growing conditions, though it is less drought tolerant than many of the other oaks. Pin oak is quite tolerant of wet clay soils even though it grows best in slightly acid, moist and well-drained soils. They are intolerant of high pH soils and develop chlorosis in alkaline soils.

Pin oaks perform well in many urban settings as they are tolerant of city conditions such sulfur dioxide and compacted soils.