Click on the images help you identify a northern pin oak.
Form
Height is 40 to 65 feet with a trunk diameter of 24 inches or occasionally larger. Trunk tapers rapidly and branches droop at ends forming a narrow, open crown.
Bark
Rather smooth, divided by shallow fissures into irregular ridges and plates. Color is grayish to dark brown, inner bark reddish.
Leaf
Simple, alternate on stem, length 3 to 6 inches, somewhat oblong or oval, with usually seven lobes. Each lobe is bristle-pointed and separated by rounded openings cut nearly to the midrib, giving the leaf a very deeply cut or lacy appearance. Leaves turn bright red and hairy in early spring, turning green later, and a bright scarlet in autumn.
Fruit (seed)
Bitter acorn that takes two years to mature; length 1/2 to 1 inch; reddish-brown, about half enclosed in its cup.
Range
Usually grows on dry ridges in the southeastern part of the state and as far north as Cass Lake, except on limestone soils. Not abundant in Minnesota; shade intolerant, moderately fast growing.
Wood uses
Heavy, hard, strong, coarse-grained, reddish-brown. Used mostly for fuel and as an ornamental tree. Easily grown from seed.