Properties
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) is also known as Swamp Spanish oak and is native to North America. Pin Oak Wood is heavy, strong, and hard.
Quercus palustris is a fast-growing tree, The growth rate of the tree is 24 inches (61 cm) Or more per year. Full sunlight(about 5-6 hours) is suitable for its good growth. Tree Grows in a pyramidal shape.
The lower branches of this tree are much larger than the upper branches. So it needs enough space to grow. so Pin oak is not a good choice for street trees or small yards.
Pin Oak belongs to the Red Oak Group. Many of the qualities of pin oak are found in red oak. But they also have some differences like Pin oaks have pointed leaves and red oaks have rounded leaves.
| # | Pin Oak |
| Scientific Name: | Quercus palustris |
| Tree Size: | 50-75 ft (15-23 m) tall |
| Tree trunk diameter: | 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter |
| Janka Hardness: | 1,500 lbf (6,650 N) |
| Dried Weight: | 44 lbs / ft3 (705 kg / m3) |
| Tree age: | 120 years |
| Uses: | Firewood, Flooring, landscaping, and veneer. |
| Workability: | Good workability. |
| Availability: | Easily available. |
Pin Oak Uses
- Pin oak has great durability, workability, and a naturally beautiful appearance. Therefore it is used for making furniture, interior trim, railroad ties, and cabinetry. Some wood experts believe that pin oak is better for firewood. It is not very good for furniture like red oak and white oak.
- It is naturally moisture-resistant, it remains durable even after exposure to soil and moisture. So pin oak is most commonly used for landscaping in the United States.
- Pin oak has enough hardness (1,500 lbf (6,650 N)), So It may be a good choice for flooring projects. High hardness protects the wood from dent and scratches.
- The bark of pin oak and other oak species was used by some Native American tribes to make a drink for the treatment of intestinal pain.
- It is also used as an ornamental tree. Once a year, its leaves turn red, which looks very attractive. Hence they are planted in parks and large gardens in the United Kingdom.
Pin Oak Wood color/appearance
Pin oak has a light to medium reddish-brown color. It Has medium to large pores and fairly coarse grain. It is quite similar to northern red oak. Some wood logs have lots of knots and poor quality and some were very nice. So too many knots in the wood make it difficult to work.
Pin Oak Firewood
For better firewood, it is necessary to produce the highest BTU value and contain less moisture. The hardest and heaviest wood species have good properties of coaling.
On the basis of this, we can say that most species of oak are better for firewood. But white oak (27.9 BTUs per cord) and Red oak (25.9 BTUs per cord) trees are considered the best firewood.
Is pin oak good for firewood?
Yes, pin oak is also a great option for firewood. It can be easily split but a little tougher than red or white oak. It gives good heat on burning. Pin oak has 25.9 BTUs per cord value, the same as red oak’s BTUs value.
The drying of wood is essential for continuous burning. Oak and other wood species will never be dry unless you split them. It may take about two seasons for it to dry properly.
Pin Oak tree Identification
Pin oak Leaf: The leaf of pin oak is red and deep-bronze in autumn. Autumn brings even more appeal and gives a great look. The Amazing color lasts for nearly a month. The size of the leaf is about 5–16 cm (2–6 1⁄4 in) long and 5–12 cm (2–4 3⁄4 in) broad.
Pin oak Bark: Young trees have a straight, smooth bark, and a pyramidal canopy. The growing age of the tree About 40-45 years old, the bark becomes rough and spreads the canopy. Canopy is used to refer to the extent of the outer layer of the tree.
Pin oak Flowering and fruiting: The flowers form greenish-yellow drooping catkins. After autumn, the flower and leaf sprout together. Its trees are very attractive when they are full of leaves. The fruit is a nut, its size is about half an inch long and wide, light brown, it turns dark brown after drying and turns black in the end.
Pin Oak Tree Diseases and Problems
Diseases
Anthracnose Disease: During the rains and floods, the young leaves scorch and large dead zones form between the veins of the leaves, mainly on the lower branches. These spots can be seen easily and you can use a fungicide to prevent them.
Armillaria root rot: This disease affects the lower part of the tree, it is also found in other species of oak trees. The branches and roots die due to this disease. A light brown to dark brown colored mushroom is formed each year in the autumn in a few clusters at the base of the trees. It is 6 inches in diameter and its stem is ½ to 1 inch thick and can be 2 to 6 inches long. So due to this disease trees stop growing.
Problems
The biggest problem for pin oak trees is frequent over-watering. Its roots start to deteriorate after being in constant contact with the water and slowly the whole tree is destroyed. It can withstand one year of floods but it cannot withstand continuous 3-4 floods.
Leaf chlorosis (yellowing) is a common problem of pin oak. This problem can occur any month. After this, the leaves dry up and fall.
Conclusion
Overall Pin oak is a great wood species, which has many properties as well as some cons, which is in every wood species.
Whether or not you choose Pin Oak depends on your usage and your choice. By the way, pin oak can be considered good as decoration and firewood and also a good choice for landscaping and furniture. So it is always better to know the pros and cons of wood before choosing any wood.
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