catscratch
Well-Known Member
I suspect the concern is that if they become widely established, they may become a problem in some areas .. so far they appear to be OK
www.dnr.wi.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/SawtoothOak.html
www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=10086
www.nps.gov/cue/epmt/products/Quercus acutissima 2012 NCREPMT.pdf
www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=143169&pf=1
www.invasive.org/browse/subthumb.cfm?sub=10086
The USDA piece is interesting.
P.S. the Invasive.Org says ... Ecological Threat... "Quercus acutissima has been found in recent years to escape plantings and establish in nearby forests, potentially displacing native vegetation. It is native to Asia and has been widely planted in the United States as an ornamental and as food for wildlife. It is no longer recommended for planting in the United States because of its potential impact on native ecosystems."
I understand all of that and it's probably true where the land owner is not much of a steward. These things are super easy to grow and have a strong will to live (I have some that the deer and rabbits bite off at ground level every yr. and they just keep coming back.). I can also completely see them being VERY competitive with native trees. They produce a ton of nuts and grow extremely fast for an oak.
With that said; I spend a lot of time fighting Johnson Grass, Sericea Lespedeza, and Honey Locust. They are all extremely prolific and hard to manage and certainly give me the perspective that I don't want to introduce another invasive. But, I have not seen the same characteristics in the Sawtooth as I have in those plants. I think an afternoon walk in the woods with a gallon of Remedy Ultra in a hand sprayer would take care of any problems a Sawtooth could present for the yr. The true danger is if someone planted a bunch of them and then walked away for 30yrs. or died and left the land to someone who didn't know what they were working with. I think they could become naturalized real easily in that situation.