Northern Pin Oak

Native Shade Tree
Brilliant Fall Color
Wildlife-Friendly Acorns

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#15 Container

$311.00

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#10 Container

$211.99

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We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
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Grasshopper Gardens offers free home delivery to customers in our local service areas. Experience the convenience of having your plants delivered straight to your home, free of charge, saving you time and effort.

Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

518-793-9623.
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Northern Pin Oak

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Northern Pin Oak

Northern Pin Oak is a native deciduous shade tree valued for its rugged upland character, deeply lobed green leaves, and brilliant orange-red fall color. Its rounded, informal crown and wildlife-supporting acorns make it a strong choice for open lawns, naturalized borders, and large landscapes.

Why choose Northern Pin Oak?

Choose Northern Pin Oak for a durable, native oak with excellent seasonal color, strong landscape presence, and dependable performance in well-drained sites. Unlike moisture-loving pin oak, this species is especially associated with drier upland soils, making it useful where a bold shade tree is needed without a formal, manicured look. Its acorns support birds and small mammals, while its broad canopy adds long-term structure and cooling shade.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Quercus ellipsoidalis
Common Name: Northern Pin Oak
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Growth Habit: Upright to rounded shade tree with an irregular, spreading crown

Northern Pin Oak Additional Information

Northern Pin Oak produces small, greenish spring flowers in catkins, followed by acorns that mature over two seasons. The foliage is typically bright to deep green through summer, with pointed, deeply cut lobes that give the tree a bold oak texture. In fall, leaves often shift to orange, red, or reddish-brown, adding strong seasonal interest before the tree enters winter dormancy.

This species is well suited to large yards, open lawns, native plantings, woodland edges, and restoration-style landscapes. It is best planted where it has room to mature, as the canopy can become broad with age. Pruning is usually limited to removing damaged, crossing, or low branches while the tree is young, helping establish a sturdy structure. Acorns provide food for wildlife, and mature trees may offer shelter and nesting opportunities for birds.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Northern Pin Oak in full sun with plenty of room for its mature canopy and root system. Choose a well-drained site and set the root flare at or slightly above the surrounding soil grade. Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly after planting.

2. Watering: Water deeply and consistently during the first growing seasons to help the tree establish a strong root system. Once established, Northern Pin Oak is well adapted to moderately dry upland conditions, though supplemental watering is helpful during extended drought.

3. Mulching: Apply a broad mulch ring around the base to conserve soil moisture, moderate temperature swings, and reduce competition from turf. Keep mulch pulled back from the trunk to protect the bark and root flare.

4. Pruning: Prune during dormancy to shape young trees, remove damaged branches, and encourage a strong central structure. Mature trees generally need minimal pruning beyond routine maintenance.

Related Resources

FAQs

How large does Northern Pin Oak grow?
Northern Pin Oak can develop into a medium to large shade tree, often reaching about 50 to 70 feet tall in favorable conditions. Give it a spacious planting site away from buildings, overhead lines, and tight garden beds.
Is Northern Pin Oak evergreen or deciduous?
Northern Pin Oak is deciduous. It drops its leaves in fall after displaying attractive orange, red, or reddish-brown autumn color.
What kind of soil does Northern Pin Oak prefer?
Northern Pin Oak performs best in well-drained, acidic to neutral upland soils. It is especially useful for drier sites where many moisture-loving shade trees may be less appropriate.
Does Northern Pin Oak produce acorns?
Yes. Mature Northern Pin Oak trees produce acorns that develop over two seasons and provide food for birds and small mammals.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Tall Growth
Full Sun
Seasonal

Mature Height	Medium: Up to 30 ft
Mature Spread	20+ ft
Growth Rate	Moderate, Slow
Botanical Name	Quercus ellipsoidalis
Bloom Time	Mid spring
Deer Resistant	No
Family	Fagaceae
Flower Color	Non Flowering
Hardiness Zones	3, 4, 5, 6
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Medium
Size	#10 Container, #15 Container

United States map with most states shaded dark green, indicating broad coverage across the country.

Growing Zones 4-7 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -30)

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