Family: Fagaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Naturalized in British Isles, escaped in New Zealand
  
• Possible negative environmental impacts in Britain
  
• Other Quercus species have become invasive
  
• Self-allelopathic (may affect other plants)
  
• Spinose leaves
  
• Alternative host of Phytophthora ramorum, pathogen causing sudden oak death
  
• Flammable. May increase fire risk
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense stands in native range
  
• Reproduces by seeds and root suckers
  
• Hybridizes with other Quercus species
  
• Seeds dispersed by seed hoarding birds, rodents and intentionally by people
  
• Potential for prolific seed production (mast seeder), but densities unspecified
  
• Able to coppice

Low Risk Traits:

• Palatable to browsing animals
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental
  
• Self-incompatible
  
• Reaches maturity in 8+ years
  
• Recalcitrant seeds unlikely to form persistent seed bank