Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

sawtooth oak

Quercus acutissima

Carruthers

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Tree

Habitat: Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): None

Family: Fagaceae (Beech Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Fruit

Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia

Foliage

Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia

Foliage

Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia

Fruit

Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia

Tree

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service , USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Flower

Chris Evans, University of Illinois

Flower

Chris Evans, University of Illinois

Bark

David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia

Flower

Dow Gardens , Dow Gardens

Fruit

Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database

Foliage

David Stephens

Fruit

David Stephens

Description

Appearance
Quercus acutissima is a large, up to 50 ft. (15.2 m) in height, deciduous tree that has been invading forests in the eastern United States.
Foliage
The leaves are alternate, broadly lance-shaped, 4-7.5 in. (10.2-19 cm) long, up to 2.5 in. (6.4 cm) wide with bristly teeth along the margin.
Flowers
Flowers bloom in May and are small and inconspicuous.
Fruit
Fruit are large acorns with spreading, curved scales on the involucre. Trees produce large amounts of acorns.
Ecological Threat
Quercus acutissima has been found in recent years to escape plantings and establish in nearby forests, potentially displacing native vegetation. It is native to Asia and has been widely planted in the United States as an ornamental and as food for wildlife. It is no longer recommended for planting in the United States because of its potential impact on native ecosystems.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): Yes

All Uses (GRIN): Ornamental, Wood

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima) is a Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

No Data

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

No Data

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)

No Data


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Hamamelidae
Order: Fagales
Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Quercus
Subject: Quercus acutissima Carruthers

Resources