PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH
JIM FUNAI, Ph.D
Cuyahoga Community College
SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
QUERCUS DENTATA ‘PINNATIFIDA’ CUT-LEAF JAPANESE EMPEROR OAK
We were hoping this one would be on the Hendrick’s Experience album! Track 6 – June – is a great time to feature this unique Oak which should be planted more often – not just by us nerdy plant collectors. What sets this Oak apart from any other you have seen are its leaves. As Bill points out, “The foliage (of this plant) is so unique that I often ask people to give me the genus, as they fail to see an Oak when looking at the tree.” The straight species of Emperor Oak (Q. dentata) has a beautiful, broad leaf which resembles our native Chestnut Oak (Q. montana). They are much longer though, checking in at a little over 12 inches. The cultivar ‘Pinnatifida’ takes this giant leaf and cuts the sinuses to nearly the mid-rib, creating an very dissected-looking leaf which looks like nothing seen in the typical garden. Fat, light-brown buds (during winter) burst open in spring, emerging into fuzzy, soft leaves. We actually love the early spring Oak leaves, as they are cute, miniature versions of the mature leaf.
22 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
Bill is sure to point out that you should not confuse Japanese Emperor Oak with a typical oak when it comes to its mature size. This tree is nothing like our Ohio-native shade Oaks. With a very slow growth rate, the Cut-leaf Emperor Oak is going to mature to around 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, max. And, trust us; it will not set any speed records getting there. This is by all accounts an accent tree, meant for a conspicuous place in your design where it can be appreciated, up close. continued on page 24
