Sawtooth Oak
Quercus acutissima · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Fagaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Ornamental, Wildlife Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Common species (Quercus acutissima)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 5-9; tolerant of heat and humidity typical of the southeastern United States.
About This Tree
A medium-sized deciduous tree with a dense, spreading, pyramidal crown that rounds with age. Known for its rapid growth rate when young and its distinctively fringed acorn cups.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, lanceolate leaves 3-7 inches long. Margins have prominent bristle-tipped teeth resembling a saw blade. Glossy dark green in summer, turning yellow to golden brown in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Gray-brown bark that becomes deeply furrowed and corky with prominent ridges as the tree matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern Asia (China, Korea, Japan); widely naturalized in Southeast and Mid-Atlantic USA.
Growing Season
Leafs out in early spring; flowers (catkins) appear in April-May; acorns ripen in September-October; enters dormancy in late fall.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred; moderate water needs; well-adapted to various soil types including clay; good drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Height: 40-60 feet; Spread: 40-60 feet; Growth rate: Fast (1-2 feet per year); Lifespan: 50-100 years.
Special Characteristics
Produces heavy acorn crops at a younger age than most oaks (often by 5-10 years). Notable for its sawtooth-like leaf margins.
Wildlife & Ecology
Extremely high value for wildlife; produces large crops of acorns favored by wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, and squirrels. Provides nesting sites for birds.