Shumard Oak is often compared to Pin Oak. Shumard is a better choice however for alkaline soils than Pin Oak. The leaves even resemble Pin Oak but are typically larger and green on both sides where Pin Oak leaves are lighter underneath. Shumard acorns are also larger. The lower branches on Shumard have a tendency to grow upward versus down like Pin Oak. Another distinguishing characteristic is the smooth yellowish brown winter buds.

Bark: The lower bark is thick, gray-brown and deeply furrowed, with lighter colored, scaly ridges. Bark nearer to the top of the tree is smoother in texture with thin greenish brown bark.

Foliage: The foliage of Shumard Oaks are alternate, simple, broadly obovate, 4 - 8 inches long and 3 - 4 inches wide, with 7 - 9 lobes that have bristles terminating each tooth on the outward-reaching lobes. Sinuses vary greatly from tree to tree in their depth, with some shallow, others 2/3 of the way to the midrib. Fall color ranges from russet to orange-red in good years, although many trees have subdued fall color with hues of red and yellow on otherwise brown leaves in autumn.

Flowers: The female flowers are tiny and inconspicuou. Male flowers cluster in golden catkins about 6 inches long and usually bloom in April and May.

Fruit: The fruits are small oval acorns that are 3/4 - 1 inch long with a shallow, bowl-shaped cup that covers about 1/3 of the nut. The nut is striated with brown-black lines.

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More Information

Tree ID Number:	375
Scientific Name:	Quercus shumardii
Mature Height:	40 - 60 ft
Canopy Spread (Diameter):	40 - 60 ft.
Branching Shape:	Pyramidal becoming more branching with age.
Growth Rate:	Fast growth rate
Wood Strength:	Hard
Cold Hardiness Zone:	5-9
Soil Moisture Requirements:	Moist, Dry
Light Requirements:	Sun
Common Pests:	None serious
Comments:	This oak grows relatively fast. It provides summertime shade and brilliant color in the winter months for a large landscape.

Find this tree on the Campus Map

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