Tree 3

Quercus palustris

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Quick Facts

Genus: Quercus

Species: palustris

Common Names: Pin Oak

Mature Size: 30 metres
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

Part of a mixed group of Oaks as street trees which were possibly planted in the early 1900’s. In 1904 a Street Planting Committee was founded that started to beautify Ballan.

In 1908 this committee co-operated with the Caledonian Park Committee and they divided the money that could be raised equally between the Park and the Streets. A Ladies bazaar was held in aid of trees.

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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 2 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

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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