It is best suited to parks and other large open areas. Severe anthracnose infestations cause heavy leaf drop in late spring. While difficult to locate in nurseries, it is sturdy, drought tolerant, and makes a handsome shade tree. The swamp white oak performs best in moist, acid soils. Unfortunately, iron chlorosis is a serious problem in alkaline soils.
Chlorotic foliage is a sickly yellow-green.
The pin oak is not a good street tree because of its drooping lower branches. Fall color varies from bronze to red. It grows 60 to 70 feet tall. Native to swamps in the southeastern United States, it does surprisingly well in the north. In Iowa, it performs best in the southern portion of the state.