Native to the Southeastern United States, the Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) is a variety of red oak tree that attracts wildlife with its acorns. Easy to grow in a wide variety of environmental conditions, the Shumard oak is winter hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. It is considered a low-maintenance tree.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Quercus shumardii, the Shumard oak, spotted oak, Schneck oak, Shumard red oak, or swamp red oak, is one of the largest of the oak species in the red oak group (Quercus section Lobatae). It is closely related to Quercus buckleyi (Texas red oak), Quercus texana (Nuttall’s red oak), and Quercus gravesii (Chisos red oak).
Shumard oak is native to the Atlantic coastal plain primarily from North Carolina to northern Florida and west to central Texas; it is also found north in the Mississippi River Valley to central Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, Missouri, southern Illinois, Indiana, western and southern Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. It is found locally north to southern Michigan, southern Pennsylvania, Maryland, western New York, and the extreme south of Ontario, Canada.
Mature Shumard oaks typically reach heights of 25 to 35 metres (82 to 115 feet), trunk diameter is typically 60 to 100 centimetres (24 to 39 inches), and crown width typically reaches 12 to 18 m (39 to 59 ft) in width. Typical size varies according to region, with larger specimens occurring in the southern portions of its native range in the United States. Record Shumard oaks have been measured at up to 60 m (200 ft) tall, with crowns up to 27.5 m (90 ft) in width. Young specimens generally exhibit conic or ovate crowns, with the upper crown filling in as the tree reaches maturity. Trunks are relatively straight and vertical. Trunks may have deeply fluted buttresses near the ground. Shumard oak is typically found in lowland areas and is able to survive where the soils experience flooding for six weeks of the year.
The young bark of the Shumard oak is light gray, very smooth, and very reflective. Shumard oak bark darkens and develops ridges and furrows as it ages. Occasionally, white splotches are seen on the bark.
Shumard oak twigs terminate in a cluster of buds. The buds are lighter in color than the olive-green twigs. The young twig is highly reflective.
The leaves are arranged alternately and are broadly ovate with 5–9 lobes, each of which is terminated by bristle-tipped teeth. The leaves mature to between 10 and 21 cm (4 and 8 in) in length. The surfaces are glabrous, except for the tufted vein axils. They are dark green on the top, while their bottoms are a slightly lighter shade of green. The leaves turn brown to red in the fall and sometimes have hues of yellow mixed in. Fall colors are relatively late; specimens in central Texas may be at their most red in early December, while Florida specimens may not color substantially until February.
Shumard oaks bear relatively large acorns, which typically reach up to 3 cm (1 in) in diameter. Acorns take between 1.5 and 3 years to fully mature and may go unnoticed during their early stages of development.
It is tolerant of wide ranges of pH levels in soil. It is drought-resistant, and prefers partial to full sunlight. Shumard oaks begin to bear seeds at a minimum of 25 years of age, and the optimum age for seed development is 50. They are known to have reached at least 480 years of age. The roots are intolerant to disturbance.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) is an majestic shade tree that does best when planted in full sunlight. It can tolerate partial shade, but it may not reach its full potential size and will be less drought tolerant. During the summer months, Shumard oaks should receive approximately 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the cooler months, from fall to early spring, the tree will benefit from several hours of morning sun only. In any conditions, Shumard oaks should be protected from strong, direct winds.
Temperature
Shumard oak grows in a large range of temperatures. It is adaptable in hardiness zones 5-9.It prefers well drained soil with adequate ventilation in the tree canopy. Shumard oak will not do well in standing water. Also, leaf molds pose serious threats if the leaves cannot dry out in the wind. So make sure they are not stuck against buildings where rainwater may drain.
Watering
Shumard oak should be watered regularly, especially during the establishment period (the first 3 years). During this time, water the tree deeply about once a week if there is no rain. After the establishment period, Shumard oak should be watered deeply about every 2 to 3 weeks during hot, dry weather. In general, it’s best to water the tree until saturation, allowing the water to slowly soak down into the soil. Once the tree is established, it can withstand longer dry periods, though regular watering is always recommended.
Soil
Ideal soils are well-drained loam, sandy-loam, or sandy-clay soils. Some alluvial fan areas and silts harbor good oaks stands. The key in all of these is that the soil is well-drained. Standing water cannot be tolerated by oaks.
Fertilizing
Shumard oak can survive and thrive without supplemental fertilization. But if you wish to give them extra nutrients you can add some of 12-6-6 (N-P-K) fertilizer. This has more of a ratio of nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium. Also, consider the natural environment of oaks. They grow where there is lots of forest litter. This forest litter acts as natural mulch that breaks down into organic matter and humus. So one way to give some natural nutrition is to spread mulch by your oak trees. They will love the extra organic matter.
Planting Instructions
It may take a very long time if you want to get a mature oak tree from an acorn. But with patience, planting a small tree is still fun. Be sure to kill weevil larvae by soaking the acorns in 41 ℃ water for 30 minutes, stratify in moist sand in the refrigerator (not freezer), and plant in the springtime.
Pruning
Branches should be pruned to avoid moist pockets or where heavy branches may fall on people or buildings. Avoid having branches that grow with leaves tight together or pressed against buildings. If rain collects in these pockets then molds and fungi can attack. Shumard oak love having their leaves dry out in a well ventilated breeze.
To ensure that no danger occurs from the brittle hardwood branches, make sure that heavy branches do not hang over walking paths or outbuildings. Also, do not let children play near oaks in a thunderstorm as they are susceptible to falling branches and lightning strikes.
Transplanting
The perfect moment to transplant shumard oak is from late fall to early spring (S1-S2), a time when it’s dormant. This reduces transplant shock and promotes root establishment. Shumard oak prefers well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade conditions. Make sure the root ball is kept moist during the process for a successful relocation.
Pests and Diseases
A condition known as chlorosis that causes the leaf tissue to turn yellow while the veins stay green may occur when a Shumard oak is grown in soil that is too alkaline, though this species is less sensitive to soil pH than other oaks. If chlorosis does develop, the soil may need to be amended. The Shumard oak is also vulnerable to pests, including the oak lace bug and oak mites. Caterpillars and borers can also be a problem with these trees.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Shumard oak is a popular tree prized for its hardiness and colorful fall foliage. It is commonly used as a shade tree and is essential in urban gardens. Plant it with yews, rhododendrons, and boxwood for texture. Astilbe, snowdrops, daffodils, and crocus add contrasting color.
- Other uses
Shumard oak lumber is grouped with other red oak lumber for use in flooring, furniture, interior trim, decorative molding, paneling, and cabinetry. According to one guide, the lumber of Shumard oak is considered “mechanically superior” to that of other red oaks.
