Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

northern pin oak Fagaceae Quercus ellipsoidalis E.J. Hill Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet symbol: QUEL
Leaf: Alternate, simple, 3 to 6 inches long, oval in shape with very deep sinuses and bristle-tipped lobes, somewhat shiny green above, paler and generally hairless below but may have tufts in vein axils.
Flower: Species is monoecious; males are borne on slender yellow-green catkins; females are borne on very short axilliary spikes, both appear with the leaves in spring.
Fruit: Acorns are 1/2 to 1 inch long, elliptical to almost round; the cap covering 1/2 of the nut, cap scales are pubescent, scales on edges of cap generally loose; the tip of the acorn lacks concentric rings; maturing in two years and ripening in the fall.
Twig: Red-brown with multiple terminal buds; buds reddish brown, pointed, slightly angled, mostly hairless scales but terminal scales may bear some frosty pubescence.
Bark: On young trees, gray-brown, with smooth streaks; later becoming darker and developing irregular broad ridges and narrow furrows especially near the base; inner bark orangish.
Form: A small to medium-sized tree reaching up to 70 feet tall with generally poor form, irregular crown, and many dead branches. Photos graciously provided by Arne Myrabo.
 Looks like: scarlet oak - pin oak - black oak - northern red oak

northern pin oak leaf image
northern pin oak flower image
northern pin oak fruit image
northern pin oak twig image
northern pin oak bark image
northern pin oak form image
northern pin oak map image

Additional Range Information: Quercus ellipsoidalis is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information