# Sawtooth oak (*Quercus acutissima*) The Sawtooth Oak is a strong tree with sharp, pointed leaves. It grows tall and provides shade for animals and people. Its acorns are a tasty treat for squirrels and birds! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Sawtooth oak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Quercus_acutissima.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Quercus_acutissima.jpg) ## Appearance The Sawtooth oak is a medium to large deciduous tree with a broad, rounded crown. Its most striking feature is its glossy, dark green leaves, each edged with numerous sharp, bristle-tipped 'teeth.' The bark is deeply furrowed, revealing a dark, rough texture. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fagales - **Family:** Fagaceae - **Genus:** Quercus ## Interesting facts - Even in winter, its tough leaves sometimes cling to the branches until spring! - Its name 'acutissima' means 'most pointed,' just like its spiky leaf tips! - This tree was brought to America from faraway Asia in the 1800s! - Unlike some oaks, Sawtooth acorns grow and ripen completely in just one year! ## Special abilities - **Super Seed Spawner:** Sawtooth oak can produce acorns at a young age and in large numbers, which helps it spread its seeds quickly across the land. - **Thirsty Plant Tamer:** Sawtooth oak has deep roots that help it survive through dry spells, making it tough when water is scarce. - **Tannin Defender:** Sawtooth oak's acorns contain tannins, which can deter some animals from eating too many, protecting its precious seeds. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 1200-2100 cm - **Spread:** 1200-1800 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — eats its protein-rich acorns - **Eaten by:** [Eastern gray squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — hoards and eats its nutritious acorns - **Eaten by:** Wild Turkey (*Meleagris gallopavo*) — forages for its acorns - **Shelter:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — builds nests in its branches ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Nut Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nut-bearing): Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be careful not to climb too high in trees and watch out for falling branches. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Sawtooth oak? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Sawtooth oak? 1200-2100 cm ### How wide does Sawtooth oak spread? 1200-1800 cm ### How big are the flowers on Sawtooth oak? 2-5 cm ### When does Sawtooth oak bloom? Spring ### Is Sawtooth oak edible? No ### Is Sawtooth oak toxic? Mild ### What is Sawtooth oak's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Rakujuen Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rakujuen-park) — Shizuoka, JP · Park - [Wolf Trails Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wolf-trails-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Arima Fuji Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arima-fuji-park) — Kansai, JP · Park - [Branitzer Park, Cottbus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/branitzer-park-cottbus) — Brandenburg, DE · Park - [Biwako Earth Citizens' Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/biwako-earth-citizens-forest) — Kansai, JP · Park - [Duryunsan Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/duryunsan-provincial-park) — KR · Park [View all places to see Sawtooth oak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/sawtooth-oak) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Sawtooth oak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sawtooth-oak)