Question: I am from the North originally, and the “pin” oaks we had there aren’t the same as the ones I see here in Texas. What is the difference between these two plants with the same name?

Answer: Texans, especially in East Texas, refer to the true “water” oaks (Quercus nigra) as “pin” oaks. The true pin oak (Q. palustris) has leaves that look like a red oak’s leaves, while water oaks have tapered and elongated, but smaller, leaves with three rounded lobes.