Q. variabilis - Chinese Cork Oak

Rarely grown in the U.S. this may actually be a more superior tree in comparison to the more commonly planted Sawtooth Oak ( Quercus acutissima ). Native of China, Korea and Japan, it is well adapted and actually requires the hot humid summers of the Mid Atlantic Region. Growing very large and heavy set at maturity ( to 100x 80 feet with trunk diameter to 5.5 feet ) it is also fast growing to 4 feet per year. Trees have already grows to 80 feet tall im Maryland & Pennsylvania and 3 feet in diameter in hartford, CT. The Chinese Cork Oak can live up to 400 years and the pink grey, thick, corky, deeply fissured bark on older trees is truly spectacular. They are hardy from zone 4 ( -30F ) to zone 9.

The foliage is also very attractive; the oblong toothed 8.5x4" leaves being shiny dark green in summer and staying green very late into the fall.