Northern Pin Oak
Quercus ellipsoidalis
Northern Pin Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Not Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 40 to 60 ft tall and 30 to 50 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun. Develops iron chlorosis in our alkaline soils, leaves yellow with green veins, then decline.
medium water40 to 60 ft tall and 30 to 50 ft wide
Photos
- Photo 1: "Quercus ellipsoidalis" by Adam Kranz is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/.
- Photo 2: "Quercus ellipsoidalis" by Douglas Goldman is licensed under CC BY 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
- Photo 3: (c) Eric Schmidt, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: "Quercus ellipsoidalis" by Rob Foster is licensed under CC BY 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
- Photo 5: (c) Ben Redding, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 6: Sulfur at English Wikipedia
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 4.5 to 6.8
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 40 to 60 ft tall and 30 to 50 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~50 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Fall color
- Bronze, red
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Soil ChemistryIt wants soil on the acid side, but ours runs alkaline, so it yellows between green veins from iron chlorosis and needs treatment to hold color.
Common problems on the Front Range
No major pest or disease problems are commonly reported for this plant on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for the usual stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Northern Pin Oak good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Northern Pin Oak is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Not Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- Why is Northern Pin Oak not recommended on the Front Range?
- The main catches here: It wants soil on the acid side, but ours runs alkaline, so it yellows between green veins from iron chlorosis and needs treatment to hold color.
- How big does Northern Pin Oak get?
- It matures to about 40 to 60 ft tall and 30 to 50 ft wide.
- How much room does Northern Pin Oak need?
- Give Northern Pin Oak about 50 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Northern Pin Oak grow into?
- Northern Pin Oak typically grows into a pyramidal, conical outline that is widest at the base. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Northern Pin Oak hardy on the Front Range?
- Northern Pin Oak is hardy in USDA 4 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Northern Pin Oak need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Northern Pin Oak grow?
- Northern Pin Oak is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Northern Pin Oak live?
- Northern Pin Oak is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Northern Pin Oak turn in fall?
- Northern Pin Oak turns bronze and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Northern Pin Oak native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Northern Pin Oak prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Northern Pin Oak has no major pest or disease problems commonly reported on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
