Why plant Audubon® Native Pin Oak Treeling?
Popular with people and with birds! Because of its fine form, durability, ease of transplanting, and relatively fast growth, Pin Oak is perhaps the most commonly planted Oak Tree. Like other Oaks, it’s a boon to birds as well. The small but bountiful acorns feed jays, woodpeckers, ducks, and turkeys, and the insects attracted to this native tree feed wrens, warblers, chickadees, cardinals, mockingbirds, and countless other birds. In addition, the twiggy but strong branches make fine nesting sites for tree-dwelling birds. Recommended for both rural and urban spaces, Pin Oak gives birds a boost everywhere.
The name pin oak comes from its short, tough branchlets located along the branches and limbs. Interestingly it lines the driveway to Graceland. On the day of his funeral, Elvis Presley was being carried from his home by his pallbearers and good friends along the tree lined driveway. A limb from one of the Pin Oak trees fell, just missing them. This was found to be uncharacteristic for this tree. Elvis always joked that he would come back after he died and let them know that he was ok. One of his friends remarked “we knew you would be back, just not so soon.” There are over 20 different trees at Graceland, each labeled for visitors. Elvis used trees as a natural buffer between him and his fans.
How to use Audubon® Native Pin Oak Treeling in the landscape?
You can pin your 'oaks' on this one! In autumn its lustrous, dark green leaves turn every shade of red, making a striking contrast to the tree's smooth, gray bark. Its tidy, conical silhouette gives it an air of stateliness. It's easy to grow and will make a magnificent specimen tree for your yard.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant Audubon® Native Pin Oak Treeling
Oak trees enjoy full sun, but soil conditions are where these two trees differ. Pin Oaks require acid soil; if the soil isn’t acidic enough the leaves will turn yellow. Red Oaks, on the other hand, can tolerate a wider range of soil conditions. Oaks can have an irregular growth habit while young, but it will straighten out in time. (Kind of like that scrawny kid in elementary school that grows into the star quarterback on the high school football team – see, it all works out)! Oak trees are relatively pest free. You may have an occasional problem with scale, which are tiny sucking insects usually found in clusters along branches and leaves.
How To Water
Water twice weekly for the first 3-5 weeks; then water weekly for the remainder of the year until winter. When you water, water slowly and thoroughly. Watering needs may be altered due to extreme weather conditions.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant Food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant Food granular form on an annual basis each fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established as it gives your tree the nutrients it needs to produce lush new growth for the following spring.
How To Prune
A young tree may need a little extra support to ensure that it lives a long and healthy life. Stake your new Treeling with a 6-8 foot tall wood or bamboo stake. Use expandable ties that will stretch as the tree grows, fastening the stake to the main trunk from the base to the top. Check the ties every few months, at least twice a year; ensuring the ties are not digging into the trunk. If there is any sign of this, take the tie off and reattach it, giving the tree more room to grow.
As your tree grows, remove a few of the lower branches each year if you do not want your tree to have lower limbs. Remove these lower branches before they reach 1/2 inch in diameter. It is better to make small cuts to avoid cutting a large, more mature branch - this is too stressful for the tree. Each year, make any corrective pruning needed, paying particular attention to removing damaged branches, rubbing branches, multiple leaders at the top, or suckers at the base. Limit any pruning to no more than 25% of the branching structure in a given year. Pruning benefits the tree and helps to achieve a balanced tree form.
After two or three years you can feel free to remove the stake from the tree.