Japanese Evergreen Oak Plant Care

Japanese Evergreen Oak (Cyclobalanopsis acuta) belongs to the Fagaceae family within the Cyclobalanopsis genus. Japanese Evergreen Oak is native to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China's Guizhou Province and Guangdong Province. Japanese Evergreen Oak is also known as Japanese Live Oak.

Japanese Evergreen Oak displays a tall, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. Japanese Evergreen Oak produces small inconspicuous flowers in catkins.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Japanese Evergreen Oak every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Japanese Evergreen Oak thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cyclobalanopsis acuta tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Japanese Evergreen Oak prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter like compost or leaf mold. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Evergreen Oak to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Japanese Evergreen Oak every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter like compost or leaf mold. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Japanese Evergreen Oak is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Japanese Evergreen Oak can spread to about 30 ft (9.1 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 30 ft (9.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Japanese Evergreen Oak while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Japanese Evergreen Oak is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Japanese Evergreen Oak can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings.

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Japanese Evergreen Oak is susceptible to oak gall wasps, oak leafhoppers. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Japanese Evergreen Oak grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Japanese Evergreen Oak is native to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China's Guizhou Province and Guangdong Province. In cooler regions, grow Japanese Evergreen Oak as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.