Quercus acutissima aka Sawtooth Oak

Taxonomy

Quercus acutissima, also known as the Sawtooth Oak, is an Asian species of oak native to China (including Tibet), Korea, Japan, Indochina (Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia) and the Himalayas (Nepal, Bhutan, northeastern India). It is part of Quercus sect. Cerris, a section of the genus characterised by shoot buds surrounded by soft bristles, bristle-tipped leaf lobes and acorns that mature in about 18 months. It has been widely planted in many lands and has become naturalized in parts of North America, although it has become a problematic invasive species in some areas, such as Louisiana. Sawtooth Oak is a medium-sized deciduous tree, growing to 25–30 metres (82–98 ft) tall with a trunk up to 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) in diameter. Its bark is dark gray and deeply furrowed and its leaves are 8–20 centimetres (3.1–7.9 in) long and 3–6 centimetres (1.2–2.4 in) wide, with 14-20 small saw-tooth like triangular lobes on each side. The flowers are wind-pollinated catkins and the fruit is an acorn, maturing about 18 months after pollination, 2–3 centimetres (0.79–1.18 in) long and 2 cm broad. As an indoor houseplant, Sawtooth Oak is not challenging to grow. It needs regular watering and long-lasting, direct light and should be kept less than a foot from a window. It prefers soil that is well draining and should not need additional fertilizers. With proper care, it can make an excellent addition to any home. However, it is not safe to consume, so it should be kept away from children, cats, or dogs.

Common names

Sawtooth Oak, Sawthorn Oak, Japanese Sawtooth Oak

How to care for Sawtooth Oak

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Sawtooth Oak due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Sawtooth Oak should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Sawtooth Oak loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Sawtooth Oak thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Japanese Sawtooth Oak.

Toxicity

Sawtooth Oak is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The growth rate of Sawtooth Oak is slow and it doesn't necessitate additional fertilizing. By changing the soil in its pot annually, the plant should be provided with adequate nutrition. It is crucial to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Sawtooth Oak’s native range is E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.


More info:
Wikipedia