Quercus shumardii aka Shumard Oak

Shumard oak, Quercus shumardii, is a deciduous tree in the red oak group of the beech family. It grows wild from southern Ontario through the central and eastern United States. Its home ground is moist bottomland, along streams and on low floodplains. Missouri, Texas, Florida and North Carolina all fall within its range.

In gardens it reaches 50 to 70 feet (15 to 21 m) tall and 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15 m) wide. Some sources cite 80 feet (24 m) in cultivation. Wild trees can reach 100 feet (30 m). Young trees have a pyramidal shape. With age the crown opens and becomes broad and rounded. Growth is moderate to fast, and a tree can live a long time.

The leaves are simple, alternate and 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) long. Each has seven to nine deep, pointed lobes ending in soft bristles. They are glossy dark green above and paler below. Small tufts of hair sit where the veins meet on the underside. Autumn colour comes late but can be a strong red, orange or brownish red. The bark starts smooth and grey. Later it develops darker furrows and scaly ridges. Twigs are grey-brown and hairless, with small grey clustered buds.

Flowers appear in spring as the new leaves open, around April. Male flowers hang in greenish catkins, while female flowers sit in the leaf axils. Neither is showy, and wind carries the pollen. The acorns are oblong, about 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches (2 to 3 cm) long. A shallow scaly cap covers less than a third of each nut. As in other red oaks, acorns take two seasons to ripen. Trees seldom bear them before about 25 years of age.

Shumard oak needs full sun and well-drained soil. It prefers moist, rich, slightly acid ground but adapts to clay, sand, loam and alkaline soils. It copes with drought, short floods, wind, air pollution and city streets. Hardiness spans USDA zones 5 to 9, and the RHS rates it H6. Young trees benefit from early pruning to keep a single central leader. Leaves on high-pH soils may yellow between the veins.

Gardeners use it as a shade, street, lawn or specimen tree in large spaces. It also suits rain gardens and parks. Squirrels and other mammals eat the acorns. The leaves feed caterpillars of the imperial moth and several hairstreaks and duskywings. The heavy, hard timber serves for flooring, furniture and cabinets.

Most pests cause little harm, but oak wilt can kill the tree. Mites, scale, borers, aphids, galls, leaf miners and lace bugs may appear. Diseases include root rot on wet soil, anthracnose, leaf spot, rust, canker and powdery mildew. Honey fungus is a risk too. Falling acorns and leaves can create litter. Raw acorns contain tannins and can upset the stomach and gut of people and pets. Horses are at risk as well. Once leached or boiled to remove the tannins, the acorns are edible and can be ground into flour.