When does Pin Oak bloom?

Pin Oak produces small, inconspicuous flowers in April and May, before the leaves fully expand.

How much water does Pin Oak need?

Pin Oak does best with medium moisture but tolerates wetter, poorly drained soils, which fits its species name palustris, meaning of the marsh.

How much sun does Pin Oak need?

Pin Oak grows best in full sun and does not perform well in heavy shade, though it can handle some part sun conditions, especially when young.

Do pollinators use Pin Oak?

Bees and beetles visit Pin Oak catkins for pollen, though like other oaks it relies mainly on wind for pollination.

Is Pin Oak toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Pin Oak as toxic to livestock.

Is Pin Oak HOA-friendly?

Pin Oak is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Pin Oak

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Quercus palustris

Last reviewed: September 2026

Quercus palustris, or Pin Oak, is a fast growing deciduous tree that prefers full sun and tolerates wet to medium moisture soils, blooming in April and May across much of the eastern and midwestern United States.

Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Pin Oak as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

360"–720" H × 360"–600" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 21 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

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Pin oak is a large shade tree with distinctive deeply lobed leaves and a pyramidal shape when young, maturing to a more oval crown. It develops attractive fall color ranging from bronze to red and produces small acorns. This fast-growing oak adapts well to urban conditions and wet soils.

Growing Pin Oak

Grow Pin Oak in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 360 to 720 inches tall and spread 360 to 600 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Pin Oak is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.

Very large mature size may overwhelm smaller properties
Acorns and leaves create seasonal cleanup needs

Wildlife value

Host plant for banded hairstreak, imperial moth.

Pin oak supports over 500 species of butterflies and moths as caterpillars feed on the leaves. The acorns provide food for squirrels, deer, and many bird species including woodpeckers and jays.

Common questions

When does Pin Oak bloom?: Pin Oak produces small, inconspicuous flowers in April and May, before the leaves fully expand.
How much water does Pin Oak need?: Pin Oak does best with medium moisture but tolerates wetter, poorly drained soils, which fits its species name palustris, meaning of the marsh.
How much sun does Pin Oak need?: Pin Oak grows best in full sun and does not perform well in heavy shade, though it can handle some part sun conditions, especially when young.
Do pollinators use Pin Oak?: Bees and beetles visit Pin Oak catkins for pollen, though like other oaks it relies mainly on wind for pollination.
Is Pin Oak toxic to dogs?: Pin Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Pin Oak toxic to cats?: Pin Oak is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Pin Oak toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Pin Oak as toxic to livestock.
Is Pin Oak HOA-friendly?: Pin Oak is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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