Oak trees possess similar characteristics, mainly when they belong to the same group. In some cases, the similarities are so uncanny that it can be hard to distinguish between them.
So, this blog might of help if you can’t tell the difference between black and pin oak.
In this guide, we’ll examine both trees individually, their similarities and differences, and learn how to tell them apart.
Black Oak: at a Glance
Black oak is a member of the red oak tree family, with a characteristic rough texture, brownish-gray bark, pointed leaves, and monoecious flowers.
Black oak belongs to the broad group of red oak trees commonly found in the eastern and central north US. It is one of the lesser-known trees of the said family. However, you can easily recognize a black oak tree from its foliage and bark.
The leaves have points on their lobes and are green in color. Meanwhile, its bark is usually dark black or brownish gray and has a rough texture.
Black oak can grow approximately 60-80 feet (20-25 meters) tall. However, depending on location and soil conditions, they can exceed 140-150 feet (42-45 meters) in height.
These trees have monoecious flowers. So, both male and female flowers are frequently present on the same stalk.
Pin Oak: at a Glance
Pin oak is also a member of the red oak tree family. It resembles black oak a lot; however, its leaves are more deeply lobed than black oak. Pin oak also has a characteristic crown shape with numerous fairly small branches.
Like Black oak, Pin oak is a member of the large red oak community. It is primarily a southern and midwestern species that extends into New England at the northeastern boundary of its range.
This tree features lustrous, dark green foliage and has bristles on the leaf lobes. It can be identified by its rough-textured, dark brown, and slightly ridged bark. At maturity, the pink oak has a height of 60–70 feet (18-21 meters)
Since it is monoecious, it produces both male and female flowers on the same stalk. Male flowers appear as drooping catkins, and female flowers appear in the form of tiny spikes.
How to Distinguish Black Oak from Pin Oak?
Relatively longer and heavily lobed leaves are characteristic of black oak. If you compare the wood, the black oak will have more strong wood with high quality, while Pin oak’s wood is more knotty.
Given that they are both members of the red oak family, it can be confusing to distinguish between black and pink oak. In addition to many other similarities, they have a similar appearance and reach the same height.
However, you can tell the difference if you pay close attention to the foliage. We know that both trees have glossy-looking, dark green leaves.
But the leaves of Black oak trees are relatively longer. These leaves are typically 5-9 inches (12-22 centimeters) long, whereas pin oak leaves are 3-6 inches (7-16 centimeters) long. Both have bristle-tipped lobes, but Pin oak has fewer lobes than Black oak.
Another method to distinguish the two trees is to look at their wood. The wood of both trees is heavy and rough.
However, Pin oak’s wood is comparatively less strong, lower quality, and knotty. One can touch the wood of the Black oak tree and easily identify it because of its strong wood.
Black vs. Pin Oak: Similarities
Both of the trees belong to the red oak family with long-stalked elliptical leaves and heavy bark. They have monoecious flowers that bloom in mid-spring. Their fruit Acorn is a reddish brown globoid fruit that takes 2 years to reach maturity.
Black and Pin oak trees belong to the red oak group, which is characterized by having bristles on the leaf lobes. They are identical in almost every manner, and it can be hard to identify them individually.
In this section, we’ll take a look at all the similarities between both trees:
Leaves and Bark
Both Black and Pin oak develop long-stalked and elliptical leaves. They have a dark green upper surface but a coppery/paler underside. The bark is smooth and gray when trees are young. However, it becomes thicker, harder and darker in color over time.
Flowers and Flowering Period
Oak trees have monoecious flowers. Hence, both trees frequently have male (staminate) and female flowers (pistillate) on the same tree when the springtime leaves first appear.
Staminate flowers are about 1½-4 inches (3-10 centimeters) long and develop as drooping catkins on scions of the preceding year. Pistillate flowers are nearly about ¾ inches (2 centimeters) long and develop like short spikes on leafy twigs of the current year.
The blooming phase is the same for Black and Pin oak. Flowers start appearing in mid-spring (April to May) when the leaves are about 50% developed.
Fruit
Acorn is the fruit of both oak trees. It matures over the course of two years, taking the place of fertile female flowers. This fruit has a globoid shape, is typically 1/3-½ inches (8-12 millimeters) long, and is reddish-brown.
Height & Width
Both trees have similarities in this department as well. At full maturity, both trees are 40–70 feet (12-21 meters) broad and 60–80 feet (18-24 meters) tall.
Growth Rate and Requirements
Black and Pin oak are usually slow-growing trees. They hardly gain 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters) annually and take at least 5-7 years to become fully self-sustainable. Hence, these trees take decades to fully develop and 20-30 years to start providing acorns.
The best thing is that these trees are pretty adaptable and low maintenance. They can grow well in almost all types of soils. However, the best results happen when the soil is moist and well-drained.
Black vs. Pin Oak: Differences
Pin oak has a pyramidal crown with fantastic foliage, which is why it is used mainly for ornamental purposes, while black oak’s wood is more heavy and strong, so it is used accordingly. Pin oak thrives more in acidic soil, while black oak can survive any type of pH and soil conditions.
In this section, we’ll take a look at all the differences between both trees:
Wood Uses
Woods of both Black and Pin Oak are utilized for multiple wood projects, including furniture, pallets, flooring, railroad ties, boxes, etc. But Pin oak’s aesthetic value is higher than Black oak.
Pin oak has been used as an ornamental because of its pyramidal crown and gorgeous foliage. Meanwhile, Black oak is rarely used for decorative purposes.
Site Requirements
Black and Pin oak can survive in unfavorable soil conditions. However, Pin oak can be site-sensitive, requiring only acidic soil.
If it is planted in non-acidic soil, its leaves tend to turn yellow due to iron chlorosis. Iron deficiency is the reason behind pale foliage, as soil with higher pH contains low iron.
Therefore, Pin oak shouldn’t be planted in a soil pH above 7.0-7.3. Black oak, however, is comparatively adaptable and can handle the circumstances well.
Leaf Size
Both trees have similar-looking leaves to the extent it’s hard to tell the difference. However, you can spot the difference if you look closely, as Black oak’s leaves are nearly 2-3 inches (5-7 centimeters) longer.
Conclusion
So that brings us toward the end of this comparison of black vs. pin oak. Both trees are highly similar as they belong to the same variety.
From fruit size to tree height to foliage color to blooming period, everything is similar. Ultimately, both trees take adequate time to mature and yield fruit. There is not much dissimilar between them except that Black’s leaves are longer than Pin’s.
If you are considering growing them, make sure to plant Pin oak in a moist, well-drained, and acidic site, as it can be less adaptive and tolerant.
Apart from that, you don’t have much to worry about anything major. Both trees take their time to grow and become self-sustainable after 5-6 years.
References
britannica.com/plant/black-oak, treehugger.com, mdc.mo.gov, arborday.org, Ontario.ca, .homestratosphere.co, treejourney.com, leafyplace.com, treejourney.com