Northern Pin, Hills or Jack Oak (Quercus ellipsoildalis)

Form

In Wisconsin, Northern pin oak seldom exceeds a height of 50 feet or a diameter of 2 feet. The trunk is short and bears many forked branches.

Bark

The bark resembles that of the scarlet oak, but the inner bark is pale yellow.

Leaf

The leaves are similar to scarlet oak, but not so shiny above, with five to seven lobes. Late in autumn, they turn yellow or pale brown, or more or less blotched with purple.

Fruit

The acorn requires 2 seasons to mature, and is enclosed for 1/3 to 1/2 of its length in the cap, which gradually tapers at the base.

Range

Northern pin oak is found throughout the state, usually on sandy soils of low fertility. It originally grew in mixture with pines, but fires have killed most of the pines, while the oak was able to reproduce from sprouts. As a result, there are many acres in Wisconsin capable of producing pine that are growing this oak.

Wood

The wood resembles red oak and is used for fuel, posts, railroad ties and some hardwood pulp.