This species is widespread across its native East Asian range, and has now been planted across southeastern states. The tree's popularity is largely due to its regular heavy acorn production, providing winter food for deer, turkey and other game animals. Until recent decades, there was little or no record of naturalization in North America (FNA 3), but there are now records from several states to the east and south of Ky. (Whittemore 2004; W). Trees have been planted for at least 30 years in some wildlife management areas. At Land-Between-the-Lakes in TRIG, there are frequent trees along the central road ("The Trace"), and it is possible that some of these are self-sown. Seedlings also appear to be established in FAYE along the riparian zone behind Clay's Mill Elementary School, and further investigation is needed here; these seedlings have leaves with curiously narrowed proximal halves, making them somewhat spathulate.