An oak with distinctive leaves, appreciated for its autumn foliage. Introduced 1691.

Native to central and eastern United States. Uncommon but widespread in north-west Europe.

Monoecious. Wind-pollinated. Dispersed by birds and small mammals.

Medium (24m), slender, with an irregular open crown. Bark silver-grey and warty, maturing rugged with orange fissures. Twigs slender, glabrous. In late summer the foliage flushes yellow; autumn colour is vivid orange-red, especially at the tips, with leaves held into winter. Leaves 10-13cm, with 7-9 deep, sharply whiskered, often uneven lobes, glossy and glabrous, on long yellow petioles (4-6cm). Fruit a broad dumpy acorn half-enclosed by a thin cupule. Pin Oak differs: narrower even lobes.

Grows best on well-drained sandy soils. Avoiding frost hollows and shelter from wind can promote better autumn colours.

No notable associations where introduced.

Generally healthy.

Ornamental.