I have 3 Sawtooth oak trees that I planted about 10 years ago. One is starting to make acorns. I did not realize at the time that they can become invasive. I already have a problem with Chinese Tallow trees which people were encouraged to plant in this area for fast growing shade. I may remove them and stick with my Live Oak, Shumard Oak, Nuttall Oak, White Oak and Water Oak.
Sawtooth Oak is only considered invasive by 8 states. And then only at Tier 2 level. Ie⌠Low abundance but potential for impact. Could be easily eradicated.
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@Richard - that holds for virtually all acorns, perhaps with the exception of Q.rotundifolia, a European species.
All require leaching to remove tannins, and all are potentially toxic to livestock when consumed in quantity, with the potential exception of deer and goats.
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I planted a couple hundred sawtooth acorns in a nursery bed , 20+ yrs ago, and sold them to a friend who wanted to plant them out for deer/turkey on his property. Evidently, there were 3 weak little seedlings that were left behind and grew to fruiting age. I cut two (and poisoned the stumps) several years back, and inoculated with Shiitake plugs - along with bolts of Eastern white oak, Southern red oak, water oak, and sugar maple. Sawtooth was the most productive of the bunch.
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If this topic is of interest for growing Oaks with edible acorns, I would suggest getting in touch with @DavidinVermont. Iâve been discussing oaks with him and he has been growing many types, especially Bur Oak hybrids, for large and edible acorns. Perfect Circle Farm perfect circle farm also sells ones hardy to zone 4. He is selling stratified seed as I write this.
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I will happily share low tannin acorns next fall with anybody interested.
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Thanks David. I didnât know if I would be causing you a problem, and I also didnât know anyone on that forum was discussing Oaks. It certainly looks like the topic needs your expertise.
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Well, lookie there⌠itâs my old friend DavidinVT - good to âseeâ you! Itâs been a minute.
Jesse & Eric at Yellowbud Farm in MA are also growing seedlings of some low-tannin oak selections, including some of mine, like âMid-MO #1â, âF2 Ootiâ hybrid, and âSweet Idahoâ bur and âMcDanielâ BurEnglish hybrid - as well as others, including selections from Don Cobb in NY.
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Great to see you here Lucky! Gosh, it has been a few decades since I started pestering you for acorns. 
Jessie and Eric are delightful people full of so much energy and passion for tree crops. It was you that introduced Jessie to me, thank you. My F2 Ooti are great trees and a favorite like Kreider. Sweet Idaho has such small acorns and low productivity so far but my Ashworth produces every single year. McDaniel is a gorgeous tree but not as productive as others. I filled a gully between hayfields with Don Cobbâs Q. macrocarpa and Q. bicolor seedlings. Donâs trees are now producing acorns but I havenât tested them yet for tannin levels. Iâm very glad to have finally joined this great group of people here.
How would you rate âMid-Mo#1â for tannins?
âMid-MO #1â is consistently the lowest-tannin acorn in my plantings. Not totally lacking any astringency, but very little. 20-25 acorns/lb(with caps removed), and falls mostly free from its cap. Bears heavily, and annually; began bearing at ~8 yrs of age.
IMO, it is my best candidate for processing, as it should require minimal leaching.
âMcDanielâ BurEnglish is very productive here, large acorn, low tannin - but weevils really like it!
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