Sawtooth Oak

Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima) is a proper shade tree for a property with room to grow one. It reaches around 12m tall and 10m wide, with long serrated leaves that turn golden yellow through to russet in autumn before dropping to let the winter sun back in. It is faster and tougher than most oaks, handling heat, drought and wind once its roots are down.

Why you'll love it

• Real shade, not dappled shade. A broad 10m canopy of large leaves gives the kind of cover a lawn or a seating area actually needs in summer.
• Autumn colour that lasts. The leaves move through gold to deep russet over several weeks, longer than most deciduous trees manage.
• Acorns for wildlife. Mature trees carry acorns from about ten years, which draws birds into the garden.
• Tough for an oak. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, heat tolerant and wind tolerant, so it copes with an exposed paddock or a hot inland town.

Where it works best

Large gardens and acreage. Give it at least 8m of clearance from a house, fence or boundary. This is not a courtyard tree, and planting it too close is the mistake people regret twenty years later.

Driveways and avenues. Space trees 8m to 10m apart along a drive so the canopies just meet at maturity without crowding each other.

Feature planting. A single specimen on open lawn shows the broad rounded crown at its best, and gives you somewhere to sit.

Growing Sawtooth Oak in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, always. It is at home in cool temperate and warm temperate gardens, from Victoria and the southern tablelands through inland New South Wales to the temperate districts of South Australia and Western Australia. Frost is no concern, but it is not a tree for the wet tropics.

Soil. Adaptable, though it prefers a deep, well drained loam on the slightly acidic side. Avoid ground that stays wet in winter. Work compost through a wide planting hole and mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers to drive the roots down, then it looks after itself. A complete slow release fertiliser each spring for the first few years is enough.

Pruning. Formative pruning in the first three winters sets a single leading trunk and lifts the lower branches for clearance. After that, leave it alone apart from damaged wood.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in a 400mm pot and in 45L, 100L and 200L sizes. The 400mm and 45L trees are young, usually a slender single stem with a light head, and they establish quickly. The 100L and 200L trees arrive with real height and calliper, which is the choice when you want a driveway to read as an avenue from the first season.

Deciduous stock may arrive bare of leaves depending on the season, and that is normal rather than a fault. Expect around half a metre of growth a year once established. Trees are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare options in the best canopy trees for shade.
• See our full range of deciduous trees.
• Read about choosing trees for a driveway.
• Browse other plants with autumn colour.

Common questions

How big does it really get?

Around 12m tall and 10m wide in a garden setting, given time and reasonable soil. Plan for the full spread rather than the size it will be in five years.

Will the roots lift paving?

A tree this size develops substantial roots, so keep it well away from paths, driveways and services. Ten metres of clearance from hard surfaces is sensible.

Does it produce acorns?

Yes, from about ten years of age. They are a useful food source for birds, though they do need sweeping up off paths and lawns each autumn.