portrait.
Reba McEntire talks about the pin oak and the benefits that trees provide us. © Reba McEntire

If Trees Could Sing: Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire talks about the benefits of trees like the pin oak.

Reba McEntire is one of the best known performers in American music. As a recording artist, she has placed more number one albums on the country record charts than any female artist ever and has had over 50 Top Ten country singles on the charts. She has also been a starring actress on television (her series Reba and Malibu Country), Broadway (Annie Get Your Gun) and movies (including Tremors and North). Reba was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011. Reba was named The Nashville Business Journal's 2016 artist of the year. In February 2017, she released her first gospel album, Sing it Now.

More music artists talk about trees . . . 

Reba McEntire talks about the pin oak in this video for The Nature Conservancy's "If Trees Could Sing" video series.

Pin Oak Facts

  • Scientific name: Quercus palustris
  • Range: across the Eastern U.S. to the Southwest and the Great Plains
  • Height: up to 100 feet tall
  • Fruit: acorns about 1/2" long
  • Fall colors: copper brown, reddish orange and scarlet
  • Distinguishing feature: called "pin oak," because of the pin-like, diminutive spur branches that occur on larger branches. Pin oak acorns are eaten by turkey, deer, squirrels and even ducks.

You Can Take Care of Trees Like the Pin Oak

  • Plant in late fall or winter when the tree is dormant, unless the ground is frozen. 
  • Allow plenty of room for the tree to mature and grow.
  • Water it regularly in its first three years.
  • Spread mulch around the base of the tree. 

Mighty Cool Tree Fact

Did you know... in big storms a mature tree can soak up and store 50 to 100 gallons of rainwater, reducing flooding?

Support Tennessee Nature

Help us work with landowners and ensure a future in which people and nature can thrive.