Common Name: Pin Oak
Latin Name: Quercus palustris
Location: 622 Farish Street
Coordinates: 38.033873, -78.474329
This native tree is a national co-champion. It is 112 feet high, with a crown of 105 feet, and a girth of 239 inches. It is in the back yard of the home, but you can get a good view of the tree from the parking lot of the First Presbyterian Church on Park Street. The home owners value the tree and take good care of it.
Pin oaks are pyramidal; lower branches are pendulous and middle branches grow at right angles; branches are studded with numerous branchlets that do not prune readily, resulting in a spiny appearance. You can recognize a pin oak by the drooping lower branches.
Pin oaks are not only beautiful but also ecologically important. Their acorns provide food for a variety of wildlife, including squirrels, deer, and birds. The dense foliage offers excellent cover and nesting sites for birds.
In landscaping, pin oaks are prized for their symmetrical shape and rapid growth rate. They make excellent shade trees and are often used in parks, large gardens, and along streets. Their striking fall color enhances any landscape design.