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Sawtooth oak Adobe Acrobat Version |
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Quercus acutissima, or Sawtooth oak (photo), is native to Korea, China and Japan. It has been doing well on a variety of sites from Michigan to Central Texas. This
oak reaches a mature size is 50 to 60 feet in height and 30 to 40 feet spread. It has a moderate to rapid growth rate. Leaves, Stems and Fruit The leaves are simple, alternate, oblong to nearly lanceolate, 3 to 7 inches long, 1 ½ to 2 inches wide, rounded at the base. Leaves have a sawtooth margin with bristle-like teeth (photo). Leaves are somewhat fuzzy at first but this persists for only a short period. Little, if any, fall color, generally turn a dull brown and are retained by the tree most of the winter. Deep green above during the growing season. The young stem is fairly stiff, light brown, tends to have clusters of prominent sharply pointed buds at the tip during late summer and throughout the dormant period. Bark takes on an irregular, almost diamond-shaped pattern, shallowly furrowed and gray to gray-black in color. Wood is moderately strong, quite wind and vandal resistant. Generally a single-stemmed tree with a central leader. Male and female flowers on the same tree. Acorn about 1 inch diameter, cap has long recurving scales and encloses about ½ of the nut. Takes two seasons to mature. Use Windbreaks - Sawtooth oak is useful as the large tree component of windbreaks. Wildlife Habitat - This tree will provide roosting and food for a variety of wildlife. Adaptation and Soil Eastern two-thirds of Kansas. Sawtooth oak grows best of fertile, well drained soils, but it is widely adapted to a variety of soil types and moisture conditions. It is not well tested on our poorer soils. Spacing In windbreaks and wildlife habitat plantings, Sawtooth oak are usually spaced at 8 to 12 feet in row and 12 to 18 feet between rows. They should be spaced at least 20 feet from evergreen trees, shrubs and other smaller, shade intolerant plants. Culture This is one of the more tolerant oaks to alkaline soils. One-year-old, bare-root seedlings are used in conservation plantings. Typically the seedlings grow very little in height until the third year. During this establishment period, supplemental watering and control of competing weeds and grass will aid growth and survival. Pests |
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