Shumard Oak

Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

▲ young tree

▲ ▼ mature trees

▲ ▼ leaves

▲ leaf underside showing tufts of tan hairs in axils of some veins

▲ ▼ buds

▲ ▼ acorns

▲ ▼ trunk and bark

Location on Missouri State University campus: east of Wells dormitory

Quercus shumardii: Shumard Oak

leaves similar to Red Oak (Quercus rubra), except upper lobes thicker than lower lobes and tufts of hair on leaf undersides at vein axils; trees in nursery trade often have very bright red fall foliage color (leaves fall off tree in fall)
stems medium to slender, grayish-green, often with "onion-skin" appearance when young
buds 1/8 to 1/4" long; broadest at base, tapering to a point; scales yellowish to gray or smooth-- never really reddish
bark is brownish on mature trees with shallow furrows and interlacing ridges
grows 40-100' tall with open, rounded crown
acorns are light-brown, somewhat pointed, with thin, light brown cap covering 1/3 of the acorn
prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils, but can tolerate all but very wet soils
medium to fast growth rate
native to Missouri (and Springfield)