The northern pin oak is native to the Great Lakes states. It is considered a good alternative to the more widely known pin oak (Quercus palustris) due to its adaptability to a greater pH range. They share an appealing habit and leaf shape. The northern pin oak's acorns are elliptical (oval) in shape and mature biennially.

The genus Quercus includes more than 600 species of the oak tree, of which 90 are native to North America; the Chicago Botanic Garden's collection contains more than 60 varieties and over 1,000 individual trees. Twenty oak species are native to Illinois.

Oaks are slow growing, long lived, hard wood trees that produce fruit we all know as acorns. Within the white oak group, acorns mature annually; in the red oak group, acorns take two years to mature (biennial). Oaks are often imposing shade trees at maturity and provide habitat and food for a variety of wildlife.