Tree 26

Quercus palustris

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Quick Facts

Genus: Quercus

Species: palustris

Common Names: Pin Oak

Mature Size: 30metres.

Height: 15.5 metres
Width: 12.8 metres
Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): 82cm

Age of Tree: Semi-mature, this tree is growing towards its mature proportions; it has already spread its scaffold branches.

Place of Origin: Eastern North America.

Plant Habit: Upright when young, becoming more broad spreading as it matures. A single trunk, for at least 5-7 metres; where it becomes a tangle of stems.

Growth Habit: Medium, provided it has good summer irrigation.

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Story

It is believed that this tree was part of 100 trees that were planted by schoolchildren in September 1936 at the eastern and western entrances to Ballan (Simpson Street was then the main road).

Tree guards were provided by the Shire Council, and the trees themselves by the Forest Commission.

There was a large attendance of children and parents, and all were entertained at afternoon tea by the Mothers Club.

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Horticultural Information

Preferred Conditions: Good summer irrigation, in clay soils that retain moisture and nutrients.

Tolerances: to extreme cold is High, waterlogging for short periods of time of less than 3 months; High tolerance to de-oxygenated soils, such as nature strips.

Useful Life Expectancy (ULE): Medium, less than 120 years

Significance: Commonly planted as an avenue throughout Melbourne, many planted in rear gardens of modest size. It does tend to outgrow such areas.

Flowering Characteristics: Catkins, indistinct; Fruit are acorns that take two years to ripen; they are small with the cup covering more than 50% of acorn.

Features: Foliage oblong in outline, deeply lobbed green leaves, with 5-7 pointed lobes, finishing in short hairs. On underside of leaves in the junction of leaf veins there are small tufts of hairs; this is a strong ID feature for this species. Turning bright red in autumn, its autumn is short, as leaves quickly brown off. They often remain on the stems for most of the winter, being excised as the winter buds burst with new leaves or catkins.

Points of Interest: Attractive red autumn colour. Part of a mixed group of Oaks as street trees in Ballan.

Additional Notes

This type of tree retains deadwood for many years; it must be pruned out on a regular basis to manage their canopy.

The lower branches descend towards the ground; it allowed they will sweep the ground. This type of tree is often pruned to raise and remove their lower branches to reveal the trunk; which is mostly smooth grey bark.

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