Quercus acutissima - Sawtooth Oak

Family - Fagaceae

Size - 40 to 50 feet in height, spread is variable; some trees on campus are pyramidal while others are broad and rounded. Growth rate can be very fast; the trees in this picture were 1" caliper, 6' tall in June 1991, and are 8"+ caliper and 25'+ in height in summer 1997.

Foliage - Alternate, simple, 4" to 5" in length and 1" to 1 1/2" in width; serrated, with bristly teeth terminating the veins. Very dark glossy green in summer, yellow to golden brown in Fall and persisiting on the tree through the Winter.

Flower/Fruit/Seed - Acorn, approximately 1" long. A good tree to plant for wildlife as trees begin bearing heavily at an early age, as young as 4 years.

Bark - Very ridged and furrowed, even so on young trees. Gray-brown in color.

Pests and Diseases - None noticed.

Landscape Use - Lawn or shade tree. Residential sites, parks, campuses. The heavy nut bearing tendency could be a nuisance around office or other commercial areas. Avoid parking areas and sidewalks.

Performance - 10 Excellent choice for a quick growing, adaptable, and pest free tree. It is becoming a lot more well known and used. Can give one shade in a relatively short time frame without the brittleness and breakage which is usually associated with such trees. Should be able to be used through zone 8. Hardy to probably zone 5.