Sawtooth Oak

About this plant

Known for its distinctive, glossy green leaves with serrated edges, the Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima) is a robust and resilient shade tree, bringing stately beauty to any landscape. During the autumn, its foliage transforms into a rich golden-yellow to russet-brown, creating a picturesque display before shedding for the winter. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Sawtooth Oak is highly valued for its prolific acorn production, making it an excellent choice for wildlife conservation and land management. These acorns mature quickly, providing a vital food source for deer, turkeys, and other wildlife sooner than many other oak varieties. Hardy and adaptable, this oak thrives in a variety of soil conditions and can tolerate urban environments, making it a versatile choice for parks, large residential properties, and naturalized areas. Its relatively fast growth rate also means a quicker establishment of shade and visual impact in your garden.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Sawtooth Oaks are relatively low-maintenance once established. Ensure proper watering during the first year of planting to establish a strong root system. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Fertilize if soil tests indicate deficiencies, otherwise, it generally does not require regular fertilization. Monitor for common oak pests and diseases, though this species is often quite resilient.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.