Pin Oak Tree Seeds | Swamp Oak | (Quercus palustris)
Pin Oak Tree Seeds | Swamp Oak | (Quercus palustris)
Graceful, fast-growing, and beautifully architectural.
Quercus palustris, known as the Pin Oak, is a striking native oak celebrated for its symmetrical shape, glossy green foliage, and brilliant scarlet fall color. Its distinctive branching pattern—upright at the top, horizontal in the middle, and gently drooping at the base—gives it a classic pyramidal form that enhances any landscape.
Native to the eastern and central United States, Pin Oak thrives in moist bottomlands and upland soils alike. It’s one of the fastest-growing oaks, reaching maturity in decades rather than centuries, and provides tremendous ecological value for wildlife and pollinators.
Why Grow Pin Oak?
- Fast-growing and easy to establish—ideal for shade or reforestation
- Brilliant fall color ranging from orange to deep crimson
- Distinctive layered branching pattern adds strong visual structure
- Highly adaptable to clay soils and periodic flooding
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Quercus palustris
- Common Name: Pin Oak
- Germination Rate: 90%
- Harvest Year: 2024
- Seed Source: Missouri, USA
- Stratification: 60–90 days cold stratification required
- USDA Zones: 4–8
- Soil: Moist, well-drained; tolerates clay and acidic soils
- Light: Full sun
- Mature Size: 60–80 ft tall × 25–40 ft wide
- Growth Rate: Fast (2–3 ft per year under ideal conditions)
- Packet Sizes: 5, 10, 25, 50, or 100 seeds
Ecological Importance
- Acorns provide critical fall and winter food for deer, turkeys, wood ducks, and squirrels.
- Supports hundreds of native caterpillar species essential to bird populations.
- Pin Oaks are vital nesting and roosting sites for owls, hawks, and songbirds.
Fun Facts
- Pin Oaks get their name from the short, stubby “pins” of branches that remain on the trunk after lower limbs fall off.
- It’s one of the most widely planted native oaks in the U.S. due to its fast growth and strong adaptability.
- In autumn, its deep red leaves often persist into early winter, adding lasting seasonal color to the landscape.
Evergreen Seed Co. provides premium, high-germination native tree seeds sourced from healthy, mature specimens. Every order includes detailed germination instructions to ensure successful propagation of this resilient and beautiful oak.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
