Quercus phillyreoides

Ubame oak

Japan, S Korea, S China (warm-temperate coastal/lowland forests; smallest evergreen oak; binchōtan charcoal tradition; hedging/topiary)

Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Quercus phillyreoides is an evergreen shrub to small tree reaching 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m) tall with a spread of 10-20 feet (3-6 m) and a dense, rounded to irregularly spreading habit—often multi-stemmed. The small, ovate to elliptic leaves 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long are thick, leathery, glossy dark green, with slightly serrated margins. New growth emerges bronze to reddish-bronze in spring. The bark is smooth, gray. Acorns are small, 0.5-0.8 inch (13-20 mm), in shallow cups. Growth rate is slow. Hardy to zone 7. The name phillyreoides (resembling Phillyrea spp., a Mediterranean olive-family shrub) refers to the small, glossy leaves. A multi-purpose evergreen oak used extensively in Japan for hedging and bonsai (ubame oak charcoal is traditionally used for binchōtan, the high-quality Japanese charcoal).

Native Range

Quercus phillyreoides is native to Japan, South Korea, and southern China—in warm-temperate coastal and lowland forests.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a hedge, screen, specimen, or topiary subject at 6-10 foot (1.8-3 m) spacing. The smallest evergreen oak—shrub to small tree. Dense enough for formal hedging. Bronze new growth. Binchōtan charcoal tradition. Drought and wind tolerant. Slow growing—patience needed. Not suitable for cold climates below zone 7.

How to Identify

Distinguished from Q. acuta and Q. glauca by the much smaller size (15-25 feet versus 25-50 feet), the smaller leaves (1-2.5 inches versus 3-5 inches), and the dense multi-stemmed shrubby habit. Distinguished from Phillyrea spp. by the acorns and the slightly serrated (versus entirely smooth) leaf margins. The smallest evergreen oak in the collection—a dense shrub-tree with small glossy leaves, bronze new growth, and historical binchōtan charcoal use.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 25'

Width/Spread10' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Inconspicuous catkins in spring. Small acorns 0.5-0.8 inch (13-20 mm) in shallow cups. The dense glossy evergreen foliage and bronze new growth are the primary features.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green; thick leathery ovate to elliptic 1-2.5 inches; slightly serrated; bronze new growth

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

8-12 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil (pH 5.5-7.5). Hardy to zone 7. Drought tolerant once established. Tolerates coastal conditions and wind. Tolerates pruning—used for hedging and topiary in Japan. Slow growing.

Pruning

Tolerates hard pruning and shearing—traditionally used for formal hedges and topiary in Japan. Prune in late winter or after new growth hardens in early summer. The dense branching responds to regular clipping.

Pruning Schedule

wintersummer

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Tree