Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima)
$29.95
Potted stock available late September 2026. Direct dispatch to Eastern States & ACT. TAS, WA & NT via Plant Concierge.
- Chestnut-Like Serrated Foliage
- Clay Soil Adaptable
- Exceptional Foundation Value
- Grown On At Mittagong
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A Different Kind of Oak.
Quercus acutissima—the Sawtooth Oak—challenges everything you expect from a traditional oak tree. Native to East Asia, it abandons the familiar lobed foliage of the English Oak in favour of distinctively toothed, chestnut-like leaves that add unique textural interest to the landscape. Reaching a majestic 15–20m with a broadly spreading canopy, this is a large, rugged shade tree known for its highly ornamental fringed acorn cups and exceptional adaptability to challenging, clay-heavy soils that other oaks simply will not tolerate. Its tawny brown-gold autumn foliage holds late into winter, providing lasting semi-marcescent structural interest. Field-grown at seedling grade and now established in deep forestry tubes at Mittagong — the right vessel for an oak, giving the taproot room to run straight down rather than circle — this strictly limited allocation presents outstanding value for landscape designers, rural property owners, and acreage developers.
Pot Size: 90mm × 180mm deep forestry tube
Est. Plant Height: Approx. 70cm tall, measured from the base of the tube to the tip of the leader
Container Note: Grown in a 180mm-deep forestry tube to accommodate the developing taproot — roughly double the depth of a standard 90mm pot, which causes taproot deformation in Quercus
Mature Size: 15–20m in height and spread (requires significant space)
Growth Habit: Broadly spreading, large deciduous canopy tree
Style: Rural Acreages / Parklands / Foundation Landscape Planting
APPROXIMATE ACTUAL PLANT SIZE: 70CM TALL (IN A 90MM × 180MM FORESTRY TUBE)*
*Heights are measured from the base of the tube to the tip of the leader. Dispatched sizes may vary slightly with seasonal growth, but every specimen carries an established root system ready for its next stage of development.
When most Australian gardeners picture an oak, they envision the classic lobed leaves of the English Oak (Quercus robur). The East Asian Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima) offers a radically different aesthetic for collectors and landscape architects. The leaves are oblong and sharply serrated — closely resembling those of a chestnut tree — creating a finer, more textured canopy. In autumn, this foliage turns a rich, tawny brown-gold and often remains clinging to the branches deep into the winter months (a trait known as marcescence), providing shelter for wildlife and continuous visual structure.
Beyond its foliage, the tree produces fascinating, highly ornamental acorns encased in deeply fringed, moss-like cups. Because this is a large, spreading tree that reaches up to 20 metres at maturity, it requires significant space.
These were field-grown at seedling grade, lifted at full dormancy, and potted on here at Mittagong into 90mm × 180mm deep forestry tubes rather than standard pots. That choice is deliberate: oaks put down a strong central taproot early, and at 180mm deep — roughly twice a conventional 90mm pot — the tube gives that root room to run straight down instead of striking a shallow base and circling. The result is field-built root structure, a season of establishment, and a price point that keeps grand avenue or foundation planting accessible.
- Chestnut-Like Foliage: Challenges the traditional oak silhouette with long, serrated, chestnut-like leaves that add unique texture to large-scale plantings.
- Unbeatable Seedling Value: Offered at seedling grade in a deep forestry tube, this is the most affordable line in the collection — pristine field-built roots at volume, with the taproot given room to run.
- Clay Soil Tolerant: An incredibly rugged species that adapts well to a broad range of soil types, including the heavy clay sites that typically stunt other oaks.
- Winter Marcescence: The tawny brown-gold autumn leaves often persist on the branches through mid-winter, providing lasting architectural structure and wildlife shelter.
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Is this the same as a normal English Oak?
Why are these sold as "Seedling" grade?
Will this grow in heavy clay soil?
Can I ship this to Tasmania, Western Australia, or the Northern Territory?
What's the difference between the bare root and potted stock?
Detailed Description and Specs
The Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima) is a medium-to-large deciduous oak belonging to the Fagaceae family. Native to China, Korea, and Japan, it offers a distinct departure from the traditional European oak aesthetic.
The tree derives its common name from its distinctively serrated, bristle-toothed leaf margins, which strongly resemble the foliage of a sweet chestnut. In autumn, the canopy turns a rich, tawny brown-gold. Exhibiting a semi-marcescent habit, the tree often holds onto these dried leaves late into the winter, providing excellent architectural structure and shelter for wildlife. It is also famous for its highly ornamental acorns, which sit in deep cups covered in long, curling, moss-like fringes. Growing to a broadly spreading 15–20m at maturity, this is not a small garden tree — it is a grand, rugged landscape feature. Our allocation was field-grown at seedling grade, lifted at full dormancy and potted on at Mittagong into deep forestry tubes to establish through spring. We dispatch from Mittagong in the NSW Southern Highlands, a region free of key plant pests, allowing direct delivery to the Eastern States and the ACT without additional treatment.
Here’s why we think you’ll love the Sawtooth Oak:
- Species: Quercus acutissima (Sawtooth Oak)
- Provenance: China, Korea and Japan. Supplied through our specialist grower network.
- Foliage: Oblong, chestnut-like leaves with serrated margins.
- Autumn Colour: Tawny brown-gold, holding late into winter.
- Acorns: Distinctive fringed, ornamental cups.
- Mature Scale: 15–20m tall and wide (large spreading canopy).
- Best For: Acreages, parklands, avenues, and clay-heavy sites.
Care and Planting Guide
The Sawtooth Oak is a remarkably tough and adaptable tree that establishes vigorously once in the ground.
- Sunlight & Space: Requires full sun for optimal canopy development. This is a very large tree at maturity (15–20m spread); it must be planted in an open position away from house foundations, powerlines, and underground services.
- Soil & Drainage: Exhibits exceptionally broad soil adaptability. While it prefers moist, well-draining loams, it is highly tolerant of poor, compacted, and clay-heavy soils where other large shade trees struggle.
- Watering: Water deeply and consistently during the first two years to encourage the taproot to establish deeply. Once mature, it is moderately drought-tolerant.
- Planting: Water thoroughly before you plant and again once the tree is in the ground. Dig the hole deeper than you would for a standard pot to accommodate the full length of the tube’s root column, and keep it plumb — the taproot has been grown straight and should go in straight. Do not tease or trim it. For complete planting and establishment guidance, see our full guide in the Journal: How To Plant Bare Root Trees In Australia.
Shipping and Delivery
Potted Stock — Available Late September 2026
These trees are being grown on at our Mittagong nursery and will be released in late September, established and ready to plant. Join the waitlist above, and you will be notified the moment stock goes live.
Eastern States (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, SA)
Eligible for standard shipping via our secure specialist plant freight network. We dispatch from Mittagong in the NSW Southern Highlands, in a region free of key plant pests — which lets us send most species directly to the Eastern States and the ACT without additional treatment.
Tasmania (TAS)
Tasmanian orders are handled through our Plant Concierge, which coordinates all Bass Strait biosecurity treatment and inspection via a licensed specialist before your plants are forwarded to you. Start your enquiry at Plant Concierge.
Western Australia & Northern Territory (WA & NT)
Shipping to WA and NT is handled through our Plant Concierge — a hand-guided pathway across the quarantine border. We prepare and correctly identify your plants, then a licensed quarantine specialist carries out all mandatory treatment and inspection under your state’s protocol before they’re forwarded to you. This involves additional cost and a little planning. Start your enquiry at Plant Concierge.
Lord Howe Island & Norfolk Island
We are unable to ship to Lord Howe Island or Norfolk Island under any circumstances.
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