40. Quercus palustris – Pin Oak
Scientific Name: Quercus palustris
Nativity: Central/Eastern US and Southern Canada
Interesting Info:
The name “pin oak” comes from the many short branchlets that extrude along the limbs of the tree. It is also commonly called the swamp oak or water oak because of its tolerance for wet conditions. Wood from the pin oak is often marketed as red oak wood, but is actually of lesser quality because of the common knots. It is also the only known food source of Bucculatrix domicola, a caterpillar in its native range. The small acorns are especially valuable to wildlife, particularly the mallard duck and wild turkey.