A large mature Sawtooth Oak tree with a thick textured brown trunk and dense green foliage, standing in a grassy park area with other trees and a fence in the background.

Sawtooth Oak Tree

2-3ft
$54.95
$54.95
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A large mature Sawtooth Oak tree with a thick textured brown trunk and dense green foliage, standing in a grassy park area with other trees and a fence in the background.
  • A large mature Sawtooth Oak tree with a thick textured brown trunk and dense green foliage, standing in a grassy park area with other trees and a fence in the background.
  • A close-up of an oak branch with a single green leaf and two acorns, photographed outdoors against a blurred natural background.
  • Plant size guide showing different plant heights with corresponding measurements.
  • A tall, lush green tree standing on a grassy strip of land next to a paved road, with a white wall and blue sky in the background.
  • A large mature Sawtooth Oak tree with a thick textured brown trunk and dense green foliage, standing in a grassy park area with other trees and a fence in the background.
  • A close-up of an oak branch with a single green leaf and two acorns, photographed outdoors against a blurred natural background.
  • Plant size guide showing different plant heights with corresponding measurements.
  • A tall, lush green tree standing on a grassy strip of land next to a paved road, with a white wall and blue sky in the background.
Sawtooth Oak Tree

Sawtooth Oak Tree

$54.95
$54.95
Size

Quercus acutissima

The Sawtooth Oak is a striking, medium-to-large deciduous tree celebrated for its rapid growth rate, dense canopy, and remarkable ability to provide heavy shade and visual interest. Named for its distinct, glossy green leaves lined with prominent, bristle-tipped teeth reminiscent of a saw blade, this versatile tree makes a bold statement in any landscape.

In spring, it emerges with vibrant yellowish-green foliage and subtle catkins that blend seamlessly into the scenery. As summer progresses, the dense canopy maintains a lush, vibrant appearance before transitioning into a brilliant display of yellow to copper-brown in autumn. Often holding onto its warm-toned leaves well into the winter months, it provides enduring structure and seasonal appeal throughout the year.

The Ecological Footprint

  • Wildlife Powerhouse: A premier magnet for local fauna, widely recognized for producing heavy annual crops of acorns that support turkeys, deer, and various woodland mammals.

  • Rapid Canopy Builder: Exhibits exceptional juvenile vigor, quickly establishing a broad, rounded crown that delivers substantial shade much faster than traditional oak species.

  • Urban Adaptability: Highly resilient and tolerant of various environmental conditions, making it an effective choice for broad open spaces, large residential lots, and civic properties.

  • Seasonal Interest: Offers multi-season appeal with glossy summer foliage, attractive corky-ridged bark, distinctive spiny acorn caps, and persistent winter color.

The Honest Harvest (What to Expect)

  • The Perks: Exceptionally fast-growing for an oak, highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types and pH levels, extremely easy to establish, and features a beautiful, dense shade canopy.

  • The Caveats: Produces heavy crops of acorns and debris that can require seasonal clean-up on lawns and walkways. It can also spread via wildlife caching in certain regions, so local environmental guidelines should be considered.

Specifications

  • Botanical Name: Quercus acutissima

  • Common Names: Sawtooth Oak, Japanese Silkworm Oak, Sawthorn Oak

  • Mature Height: 40-60 feet

  • Mature Width: 30-50 feet

  • Growth Rate: Fast (up to 2-3 feet per year when young)

  • Lifespan: 100-250 years

  • USDA Zones: 5-9

  • Chill Hours: *

  • Sun Preference: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily)

  • Soil Type: Deep, well-drained loams, clays, and sandy soils; highly adaptable

  • Soil pH: Adaptable (tolerates acidic to slightly alkaline soils)

  • Water Needs: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established

  • Flower Color: Yellowish-green catkins; spring

  • Fruit Type: Oval acorns with a distinct spiny, mossy cup covering about two-thirds of the nut; early to mid-fall

  • Pollinators: *

  • Growth Habit: Pyramidal when young, maturing to a broad, rounded, spreading canopy

  • Spacing: 30-40 feet apart for individual shade trees or groves

  • Landscape Uses: Shade tree, wildlife food plots, large open lawns, parkways, rural buffers

  • Maintenance Level: Low (occasional clean-up of dropped acorns and twigs in autumn)

Planting & Care Guide

  • Hydration: Saturate the root ball and planting site thoroughly after installation, maintaining regular watering schedules during the first two growing seasons to support deep root establishment.

  • Siting: Select a spacious location in full sun where the tree has ample room to reach its broad mature canopy size without power line or structural interference.

  • Mulching: Apply a generous 3-to-4-inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone to retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature, keeping the mulch pulled a few inches away from the trunk.

  • Establishment: Water deeply during dry spells while the root system anchors itself. Once established, its strong root network handles occasional dry conditions with ease.

  • Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring while dormant to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches and to train a strong central leader during its early years.

  • Fertilization: Generally unnecessary in average soils; an application of balanced organic fertilizer or compost around the drip line in early spring can boost growth in poor soils.

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