Jessie Keith
Family
Fagaceae
Botanical Name
Quercus dentata
Plant Common Name
Daimyo Oak, Japanese Emperor Oak
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Royalty in its status among the world's oaks, the Japanese emperor oak boasts the largest leaves of all oak species. This large, stoutly branched deciduous tree is native to eastern Asia. Its bark is brown and fissured and splits into gray scaly plates.
The large, leathery green leaves are oblong with curving edges. Colored deep green with a lighter underside, each leaf can grow as large as an adult's foot. Old dry leaves are pushed off as spring leaf buds swell. As the new leaves open in spring with gray hairs, the male flowers appear. These greenish pendent catkins spread copious amount of pollen and are directly followed by the female flowers, which are tiny, red and found at the base of the young leaves. The broad fruits are acorns that are nestled in a mess of bright red-orange scales. The foliage becomes yellowed and then paper bag brown and persists across winter, reminding you of this tree's dominance.
Plant daimyo oak in average, deep, well-drained soil that is acidic. Full to partial sun exposures work nicely. Easy to rake up, the foliage drop is obvious and noticeable in spring. Use this tree as a spectacular specimen lawn shade tree for a campus, golf course or large park.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 4
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 8
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
40'-70' / 12.2m - 21.3m
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Width
30'-70' / 9.1m - 21.3m
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Bloom Time
Spring
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Native To
China, Japan, Korea
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Spreading
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
