June 11, 2013
| Quercus ellipsoidalis Northern Pin Oak, Hill's Oak
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| Description | Northern Pin Oak is a medium sized tree that tolerates dry, salty soils. Good fall colour, acorns that are prized by wildlife and survival under poor conditions make this tree a strong option for the urban landscape. |
| Usage | Rehabilitation sites, street tree, shade tree. |
| Origin | Middle and western parts of Great Lakes region |
| Hardiness zone | 4 |
| Size | 15-21m high, trunk up to 60cm diameter. |
| Form/texture | Slender trunk with round open dome, ground hugging branches. |
| Growth rate | Slow-moderate, long lived. |
| Leaf | 10-15 cm long; lustrous dark green changing to good fall colour. |
| Flower | Inconspicuous. |
| Fruit | Medium size makes the acorn popular food for many animals. |
| Exposure/culture | Full sun. Tolerates occasionally wet to very dry soils. Moderately tolerant of deicing salt spray, tolerant of soil salt (Morton). pH 6.1-7.5, without exhibiting chlorosis of leaves. |
| Comments | At home on upland sandy plains and sandstone hills, the Northern Pin Oak is a useful tree for rehabilitation sites. Deep roots would require care during transplanting, but Q. ellipsoidalis does well on poor soils and is the most drought tolerant of black oaks. Its natural range includes plains that would frequently be razed by fire, but Q. ellipsoidalis resprouts easily from base when topkilled. Oak wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum) susceptible, as are most oaks. May hybridize with Q.velutina and Q. rubra. Typically home to many insects, few create problems. |
Reference:
Morton Arboretum Salt Tolerant Trees. Michigan State University Extension Service Publication, HM-95