Tree Indiana Native Quercus muehlenbergii [Chinquapin Oak] More tolerant of city conditions than most oaks.
Tree Quercus nuttallii [Nuttall Oak] New growth is reddish purple with red fall color. A fast grower that prefers zones 7, 8, and 9.
Tree Indiana Native Quercus palustris [Pin Oak] Handsome tree, distinctive for its regular branching, spreading to horizontal to pendulous, from top to bottom of the tree. This effect is partly lost when lower limbs must be removed for traffic underneath. Requires an acidic soil and is subject to severe iron chlorosis on calcareous soils. This can be corrected but it means additional maintenance.
Tree Quercus palustris 'Crownright' [Crownright Pin Oak] Handsome tree with a more upright habit that lacks the pendulous character of the lower branches seen in the species type. Requires an acidic soil and is subject to severe iron chlorosis on calcareous soils. This can be corrected but it means additional maintenance.
Tree Quercus palustris 'Emerald Pillar' [sold as Green Pillar®] [Green Pillar Pin Oak] This cultivar is a columnar habit, great for those smaller spaces. Its fall color is a vibrant red, which leads many to believe that the Scarlet Oak, (Quercus cocinea) is in the genetics of this cultivar. Green Pillar Pin Oak is grafted onto root stock, so graft incompatibility may be an issue in the future. Requires an acidic soil and is subject to severe iron chlorosis on calcareous soils. This can be corrected but it…
Tree Indiana Native Quercus phellos [Willow Oak] Somewhat tolerant of city conditions. Oak wilt and scales, and many other oak tree pests, though none considered very serious. Low maintenance, long-lived tree. Use Northern sources in Indiana.
Tree Quercus robur × bicolor 'Nadler' [sold as Kindred Spirit®] [Kindred Spirit Hybrid Oak] 'Nadler' is a cultivar with a tight columnar form branching from the ground, adapted to many soil types, and a yellow-brown fall color.
Tree Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' [Columnar English Oak] The tightly columnar 'Fastigiata' provides a strong vertical accent, and is far more popular in the Midwest than the straight species. Powdery mildew on the leaves can be a significant problem. Seed propagated 80-90% true to type, thus variation can also be a problem.
Tree Indiana Native Quercus rubra [Red Oak] One of the best and most reliable of oaks as a shade or street tree. More vigorous and fast-growing than most oaks. Good street tree since it performs reasonably well in small soil volumes (although it tends to branch close to ground). Oak wilt disease has been troublesome in certain areas of the Midwest. Hybridizes easily with other oaks (be careful of source).