Quercus shumardii - Shumard Oak

A stately tall shade tree with an attractive broadly pyramidal habit of growth, deeply cut leaves and good fall color; extremely adaptable to wet or dry soils, great for creating vertical interest or as a street tree; best in acidic soils, needs full sun

Height: 60 feet. Spread: 50 feet. Sun: full sun. Hardiness zone: 5a.

Ornamental features

Shumard Oak has dark green deciduous foliage on a tree with a pyramidal habit of growth. The spiny lobed leaves turn an outstanding red in the fall. However, the fruit can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up.

Landscape

Shumard Oak is a deciduous tree with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting squirrels to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

Recommended for: Shade, Vertical Accent.

Planting and growing

Shumard Oak will grow to be about 60 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 50 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 7 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 200 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations!

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.