Sawtooth Oak
Quercus acutissima
Sawtooth Oaks in February
Mature Height: 30-50 ft.
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Requirements: Full sun
Foliage: Deciduous, long slender (4"-6"), alternate leaves
with serrated edges, turns yellow in fall and brown in
winter (leaves usually remain on tree throughout winter)
Flower/Fruit: Acorns appear after 4-6 years
Hardy to Zone 5
The back of our house faces west and there was no shade to help block the blazing summer sun. To make matters worse, there were no places to plant shade trees because most of this area is occupied by a garage and a circular driveway. The only place to plant trees was inside a formal circular hedge which was used for annuals and roses. I didn't really want trees inside the circle but I knew that something had to be done to reduce the sun's heat. After making the decision to plant 4 trees in each section of the circle, I knew that I wanted trees that would be fast growing and provide generous shade in years to come. A local nursery woman recommended the sawtooth oak, saying that it was a fast grower, had no disease problems, was a good shade tree and provided acorns at an early age for wildlife. I took her advice and I've been very pleased.
Planted in 1997, the 4 sawtooth oaks were over 30 feet high in 2012 and completely shade the back of the house. The trees are very pyramidal in growth while young and begin to spread later. The tree began producing acorns in 2002, just five years after being planted. They are beautiful trees especially in the autumn when the leaves turn yellow. The leaves stay on the tree until new growth begins in the following spring.
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Growth Rate: Fast
Light Requirements: Full sun
Foliage: Deciduous, long slender (4"-6"), alternate leaves
with serrated edges, turns yellow in fall and brown in
winter (leaves usually remain on tree throughout winter)
Flower/Fruit: Acorns appear after 4-6 years
Hardy to Zone 5
The back of our house faces west and there was no shade to help block the blazing summer sun. To make matters worse, there were no places to plant shade trees because most of this area is occupied by a garage and a circular driveway. The only place to plant trees was inside a formal circular hedge which was used for annuals and roses. I didn't really want trees inside the circle but I knew that something had to be done to reduce the sun's heat. After making the decision to plant 4 trees in each section of the circle, I knew that I wanted trees that would be fast growing and provide generous shade in years to come. A local nursery woman recommended the sawtooth oak, saying that it was a fast grower, had no disease problems, was a good shade tree and provided acorns at an early age for wildlife. I took her advice and I've been very pleased.
Planted in 1997, the 4 sawtooth oaks were over 30 feet high in 2012 and completely shade the back of the house. The trees are very pyramidal in growth while young and begin to spread later. The tree began producing acorns in 2002, just five years after being planted. They are beautiful trees especially in the autumn when the leaves turn yellow. The leaves stay on the tree until new growth begins in the following spring.
Back to Trees & Shrubs