“A Hardy, Slow-Growing Evergreen”
Japanese evergreen oak is native to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and parts of China. It was introduced in the United States in 1878. This species, Quercus acuta, is often confused in commerce with other evergreen oak species such as Quercus glauca and Quercus myrsinifolia. The wood of the Japanese evergreen oak is used for Japanese martial arts practice weapons.
Culture
- Tolerant of many soil types and conditions
- Performs best as a dense screen when given full sun exposure
- Evergreen foliage emerges with pubescence before becoming dark green and leathery
- Slow growth rate, but matures into a nice 30- to 40-foot tall evergreen
- Solidly hardy in Zone 8 and, depending on the individual plant, perhaps hardy into some parts of Zone 7
Concerns
- Very few pests attack the tree
- The smooth gray bark can be heavily attacked by sapsuckers, potentially creating the opportunity for canker pathogens
Bartlett Management Practices
- Slow growth can be maximized by ensuring adequate soil moisture and fertility
- If grown in full sun, tends to develop multiple leaders, so if a central leader is desired, structural pruning may be needed
- If grown in partial shade, the canopy will be thinner and provide less screening
- Wrapping the trunk with burlap may be necessary to deter sapsucker injury