The lower branches droop, the middle branches grow horizon-tally, and the upper branches are upright. The glossy, dark green leaves change to bronze or red in the fall. Some brown leaves cling to the tree throughout the winter. Remove lower branches when locating this tree in high-traffic areas. Persistent lower branches can be attractive in lawn settings.
Pin oaks grow in sun or partial shade and require acid soils that are moist, rich and well-drained.
They do not tolerate high-pH soils. They are easy to transplant and grow. The most common problem is chlorosis due to iron deficiency in soils with a pH greater than 7.0. Chlorosis may not become evident until several years after planting the tree. Bark is thin and easily damaged by mechanical impact.