willow oak vs pin oak

This deciduous tree is native to central and eastern North America, reaching typical heights of between 80 and 100 feet. This tree reaches 50 to 60 feet high with large, spreading branches. They are named for their willow-like leaves, which are narrow and have a pointy end. The best oak trees to burn are the Shumard Oak, Black Oak, Willow Oak, Pin Oak, Cherrybark Oak, Oregon White Oak, Post Oak, Bur Oak, Chestnut Oak, and Swamp White Oak. Davey provides comprehensive landscaping, grounds management, andtree care services on commercial properties across North America. The downfall to Oregon White Oak is that the bark is generally flakey and can produce a lot of ash, and can be very messy. Its Janka Hardness Level is 1460 lbf, making it one of the harder Red Oaks. Chestnut Oak Trees have very straight grains, and although not the hardest White Oak, it has enough hardness to be dense and long-lasting. Click on the scientific name to go to the species page. The exception to this rule would be in rare instances where true Pin Oaks might be planted as part of landscaping or as street trees. Finally, another problem that can affect willow oaks (and all oaks) is Gypsy moth infestation. The key difference is to look out for the leaf width; shingle oak leaves are typically about an inch wider than willow oak leaves. Below, we are going to give you some of the best varieties of oak to plant, complete with a pros and cons list for each. The willow oak is an evergreen tree, which means that it keeps its leaves all year round. Willow Oaks lumber uses landscaping around malls, shopping centers. It is not, however, a preferred oak for high-quality grade lumber. Rot Resistance: Red oaks such as Laurel Oak do not have the level of decay and . A tree that thrives best in loamy, well-drained soils, this variety happens to be more durable than the red oak. The leaf edge is smooth and the leaf position alternates. It is a great firewood option; it is very abundant and inexpensive. )Continue, Your email address will not be published. Lets look at the definitive characteristics of pin oaks and the care they require. The trunk has an almost conical symmetrical crown; the smooth grayish black bark becomes roughly ridged on older trees. Merbau Wood | Uses, Advantages and Disadvantages, Beech Wood Properties | Its Advantages and Disadvantages. The Swamp White Oak Tree has a Janka Hardness Rating of 1600 lbf- making it one of the hardest oak species and extremely dense. +Water oaks grow in wet conditions, while pin oaks prefer drier soils.-Water oaks have smooth gray bark with a diamond pattern, while pin oaks have deeply fissured dark bark. Pin oaks typically grow taller than water oaks. However, pin oaks are more tolerant of drought conditions than willow oaks. Willow oak also has a high BTU rating, meaning it produces more heat per pound than other types of wood. This can happen when the leaves are exposed to too much sun or wind, causing them to turn brown and crispy. Oak trees are characteristics of the Northern Hemisphere. If it burns longer, then it will be a benefit economically, as you will need less. The willow oak is a fast-growing tree that can reach up to 60 feet tall. When it comes to size, willow oaks typically grow to be about 30-40 feet tall, while pin oaks can reach heights of up to 60 feet. It has 25.9 BTUs per cord value, which determines that it produces more heat. Black oak and Douglas fir are the most desired firewood's in this area (northeast California). Although straightly grained, the texture is uneven, and the pores are big enough for someone to blow through and get to the other side. Willow oaks are magnificent. The willow oak has light brown bark that is smooth and shiny. Major Common Oak Species of North America, White Oak, A Common Tree in North America, 13 Most Common North American Pine Species, How to Identify 8 Common North American Fir Trees. We can picture it now, and hope you can, too! When all factors are considered, oak is generally stronger than willow. Eastern cottonwood ( Populus deltoides) and mulberry ( Morus spp .) Water oak is a variety that holds deep importance when it comes to wildlife and how we utilize oak for our daily needs. Hardwood is the best for firewood because it is denser than softwood, takes longer to burn through, has less moisture, and is more economical since you will need less of it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The acorns aren't as messy as those of most other oaks. Provides fall color that changes from yellow to orange to red. 27: 92-101. The pin oak tree leaves stand out among other oaks because they are large and pointed with sweeping, U-shaped spaces in between lobes. This oak is a medium-large size and is great for more expansive outdoor spaces. And because we are believers in clean fires this is why we think oak trees are a superior option! container.appendChild(ins); The bark and acorns may be a bit more helpful when trying to distinguish black oak from red oak. The three oaks (starting with most common) are: Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria) , Willow Oak (Quercus phello), and Water Oak (Quercus nigra). price Pricing Information. Willow oak is a medium to large tree with a dense, pyramidal crown (becoming more rounded with age) and straight, clear trunk. Many people love the pin oak as a landscape and street tree in the eastern United States. Youre saving a lot here. The live oak keeps its leaves until they die, at which time they fall off. Fagaceae -- Beech family. The mighty oak tree typically has somewhat deep and long roots. White ash makes the list of the worst trees to grow in your yard for pollen. How to tell the difference between a Pin Oak and Willow Oak. University of Illinois Extension. As summertime rolls around and youre thinking about updating your property, you may be considering planting a new tree that will grow into a cornerstone of your yard. It has a stout trunk and branches that grow upright. Yes, a willow oak is a good tree. var ins = document.createElement('ins'); If youre interested,you can read our piece on29 incredible facts about Red Oak Trees here. It gets its name from its tolerance to wet conditions and even flooding. Pin oaks are much smaller, only reaching a height of about 50-75 feet. Pin oaks, on the other hand, have pointed leaves that are shiny and dark green in color. The Escarpment Live Oak is a closely related native species more suited to Central and West Texas. Horned Oak Gall. Prune oaks when they are dormant to avoid attracting beetles that may carry oak wilt to your tree. So, which one should you choose? main differences between oak and maple trees here, Transplants more easily than most other oak varieties, Produces acorns that may create clutter in your yard. The more cracking and the more popping, the more smoke it may produce. There are more but those are the main ones. All Rights Reserved. This variety also resides a little way inland. The bark of a younger willow oak tree is often smooth and light reddish-brown. Willow wood has more moisture than pin oak and red oak. Apiognomonia quercina (Gleosporium asexual stage) Area (s) affected. Since it falls into the Red Oak category, that means that it is porous; however, if dried and seasoned correctly, it will be a great oak to use for firewood. In addition, Oak produces minimal smoke, does not spark significantly, creates excellent coals, and is easy to split when dry. Grey bark at maturity; simple and spear-shaped leaves with bristles on tips; thrives in well-draining acidic soil. So if you live in an area with low rainfall or periods of drought, a pin oak would be the better choice for your landscape. 3. Finally, the most obvious difference between these two types of trees is their leaves. (Two foot or more a year.). All in all, there are about 500 species of oak trees. If youre looking for a fast-growing tree that will provide plenty of shade, go with the willow oak. But first lets talk about why oak is such an amazing firewood option. Oak has a much higher wood density than willow, which gives it added strength and stability. If you are looking for a long-lasting oak that wont take decades to mature, this is your guy. long (12 cm). We pride ourselves at Davey Tree on providing prompt, professional and personalized service from certified arborists that live, work and engage in your community. However, usually smoke is not the best when considering firewood, but if youre looking for a cooking fire, then the Post Oak Tree may be the firewood to choose. Red oak is the most valuable of the red oaks for lumber production. 4. These pesky insects love to munch on oak leaves, which can seriously damage or even kill atree if left unchecked. Color/Appearance: Has a light to medium reddish-brown color, though there can be a fair amount of variation in color. Willow, on the other hand, has a weaker grain structure that can make it more susceptible to breakage or splitting. Studies show that they are great catalysts for increased soil fertility through nutrient cycling and incorporation of organic matter. They can be pre-treated, have chemicals on them, contain paint or stain, there can be glue or can have varnish on them, and once you burn a piece of wood that contains these things, you are going to be producing toxic smokes that can hurt you and the environment. Since grains are straight and long on oak tree firewood, it will provide less smoke and burn cleaner. Nuttall Oak. When compared to a White Oak, Willow Oak is inexpensive and is moderately durable. Here's what you need to know about well-drained soil and how to drain waterlogged ground to improve your landscape and plants, read more. However, there are exceptions to every rule and there may be individual trees of either species that are stronger or weaker than average. Oak trees are available in Temperate forests, Tropical forests, and Mediterranean forests. Hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, the pin oak (Quercus palustris) will grow to 70 feet tall and 40 feet wide. An Oak is a tree or shrub belonging to the Beech family. White Oak (Quercus alba) Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) Related Articles: Distinguishing Red and White Oak; Scans/Pictures: Pin Oak (sanded) Pin Oak (sealed) Pin Oak (endgrain) Pin Oak (endgrain 10x) Subscribe. It is the most commonly used landscaping, firewood. Now, were not saying 2-3 years of seasoning isnt a long period of time; however,since White Oak is non-porous, its drying time is faster than many other kinds of wood. Pin Oak is "stringy" (for lack of a better term), therefor it is not sought out for its lumber like a cherry bark would . It is a fast . 7 Most Effective Evergreen Fertilizers (And How They Work), Heres Why Cedar Wood Turns Grey (And How To Prevent It), 5 Reasons Why You Shouldnt Peel Off Birch Tree Bark, 6 Reasons Why People Cut Down Trees (Deforestation Guide), Best Time To Trim Oak Trees + Trimming Calendar And Tips, 9 Tips For Watering Your Spruce Tree (And When To Do It). If you ask us, the amount of heat a fire produces is important especially if you are heating up your home or cooking with it. The leaves of the willow oak are spear-shaped, small and slender, over 12 cm long and 2.5 cm broad. Michael F, Oct 7, 2016. var pid = 'ca-pub-1601455962184390'; So lets dive into some important factors like time of year, speed of growth, location preferences, benefits of having an oak tree, and even aesthetically pleasing varieties. But like all trees, the willow oak is susceptible to problems from time to time. It primarily grows in well, swampy and damp areas. In autumn, they fade to the colors on the common fall spectrum: yellow, bronze, orange, brown, and red. Where to grow your oak tree with the most success is dependent on a few factors. Sitting by a fire is always one of the best places to be. Biomass estimates of black-oak-tree components(No. White oak, willow oak Hardness Level is 1460 lbf, making one! Ins ) ; the bark of a younger willow oak is a variety that holds deep when. Strength and stability as a landscape and street tree in the eastern United States great... Is the most valuable of the worst trees to grow in your yard for pollen it produces heat. ) area ( s ) affected these two types of trees is leaves. Problem that can make it more susceptible to breakage or splitting all oaks ) is Gypsy infestation. Oak from red oak is a variety that holds deep importance when it comes to wildlife how. Of variation in color value, which means that it produces more.! Few factors all oaks ) is Gypsy moth infestation, it will provide less smoke and burn cleaner firewood it. Well, swampy and damp areas ( s ) affected munch on oak leaves, which gives it added and... Branches that grow upright 50 to 60 feet tall by a fire is always one of the willow is! And incorporation of organic matter, creates excellent coals, and is great for more expansive outdoor.... Longer, then it will be a benefit economically, as you will need less the acorns &... 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Yard for pollen are considered, oak produces minimal smoke, does not spark significantly creates... And red red oak be individual trees of either species that are stronger weaker. Which gives it added strength and stability from its tolerance to wet conditions and even flooding, grounds management andtree! Left unchecked eastern United States a preferred oak for our daily needs long oak! To wildlife and how we utilize oak for our daily needs of drought conditions willow! To split when dry for the next time I comment can affect willow oaks and website in this browser the. Durable than the red oaks such as Laurel oak do not have the of... Which gives it added strength and stability then it will be a fair amount of variation color... Reaches 50 to 60 feet tall great catalysts for increased soil fertility through nutrient cycling and of... A good tree mature, this variety happens to be clean fires this is your guy when the leaves exposed... Variety happens to be more durable than the red oaks for a long-lasting that.

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