Quercus shumardii (Shumard Oak) Unity Grown

Quercus shumardii, Shumard oak, is a large oak tree in the red oak group that grows to 50-70' tall in yard settings, but occasionally to over 100' in the wild. Shumard oak is known for its glossy green leaves which turn to a deep red-brown in the fall. As an oak, Quercus shumardii also produces acorns which are average in appearance and only appear after the tree reaches around 25 years in age. Regarded as a 'botanist's species,' by UT Austin's Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, Quercus shumardii is easily misidentified as scarlet oak since many of its identifying traits and growth habit are similar.

Shumard oak is an adaptable tree for a variety of locations, withstanding drought and dry soil as well as it does wet soil and seasonal flooding. As an oak, it is a relatively fast-growing species, and serves well as a specimen or shade tree or in rain gardens in a variety of soil conditions. Many species of oak are regarded as important keystone species for their support of larval butterflies and moths as well as wildlife species, and Quercus shumardii is no different; Shumard oak is a host to caterpillars of imperial moth, as well as several species duskywing moth and hairstreak butterfly. In addition to insect value, all sorts of wildlife eat Shumard oak acorns, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and various species of songbird, squirrel, and waterfowl.