{"id":594,"date":"2026-10-09T14:45:24","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T18:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/?page_id=594"},"modified":"2026-10-09T14:45:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T18:45:24","slug":"shumard-oak","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/trees\/shumard-oak\/","title":{"rendered":"Shumard Oak"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Quercus shumardii<\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/h2>\n

The Shumard Oak is a large native hardwood tree valued for its impressive size, adaptability, and brilliant fall color. A member of the red oak group, it is among the most stately oaks found in the eastern United States and is widely planted as a shade tree in parks, campuses, and urban landscapes.<\/p>\n

Native to portions of West Virginia and much of the eastern and central United States, Shumard Oak combines rapid growth, strong branching structure, and excellent tolerance of urban conditions. Its large canopy and vibrant autumn foliage make it one of the most attractive native oaks for landscape use.<\/p>\n

Identification<\/h2>\n

Leaves<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Alternate leaf arrangement<\/li>\n
  • Seven to nine pointed lobes<\/li>\n
  • Deep sinuses extending toward the leaf midrib<\/li>\n
  • Dark green and glossy during the growing season<\/li>\n
  • Bright red to red-orange fall color<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Bark<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Gray to dark gray bark<\/li>\n
    • Develops broad ridges and shallow furrows with age<\/li>\n
    • Generally smoother than many mature red oaks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Flowers<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Produces inconspicuous flowers in spring<\/li>\n
      • Male flowers occur as drooping catkins<\/li>\n
      • Female flowers appear singly or in small clusters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Fruit<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Acorns mature during the second growing season<\/li>\n
        • Acorn cups are shallow and saucer-like<\/li>\n
        • Acorns are typically larger than those of many other red oak species<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Size<\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Typically grows 60 to 90 feet tall<\/li>\n
          • May exceed 100 feet under favorable conditions<\/li>\n
          • Mature spread of 40 to 60 feet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Native Range<\/h2>\n

            Shumard Oak is native to the eastern and central United States and occurs naturally in portions of West Virginia. It is commonly found in bottomlands, stream terraces, rich upland forests, and other locations with deep, fertile soils.<\/p>\n

            The species is particularly well adapted to moist sites but can tolerate a wide variety of growing conditions once established.<\/p>\n

            Ecology and Wildlife Value<\/h2>\n

            Shumard Oak provides valuable food and habitat for wildlife.<\/p>\n

            Its acorns are consumed by:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • White-tailed deer<\/li>\n
            • Wild turkeys<\/li>\n
            • Squirrels<\/li>\n
            • Chipmunks<\/li>\n
            • Blue jays<\/li>\n
            • Wood ducks<\/li>\n
            • Numerous other birds and mammals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Like other native oaks, Shumard Oak supports a wide diversity of insects, including caterpillars that provide important food resources for birds and other wildlife.<\/p>\n

              Its broad canopy also offers nesting sites, shelter, and shade throughout the year.<\/p>\n

              Human Uses and Cultural Significance<\/h2>\n

              Shumard Oak is widely valued for both its ornamental qualities and wood products.<\/p>\n

              The wood is commonly used for:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Furniture<\/li>\n
              • Flooring<\/li>\n
              • Cabinetry<\/li>\n
              • Veneer<\/li>\n
              • Millwork<\/li>\n
              • Construction materials<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                The species is also a popular landscape tree because of its:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Strong central trunk<\/li>\n
                • Broad shade canopy<\/li>\n
                • Fast growth<\/li>\n
                • Outstanding fall color<\/li>\n
                • Adaptability to urban conditions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Today, Shumard Oak is frequently planted along streets, on campuses, and in large parks throughout the eastern United States.<\/p>\n

                  Shumard Oak at Marshall University<\/h2>\n

                  Shumard Oak contributes shade, wildlife habitat, and seasonal beauty to the Marshall University Arboretum. Its large size and brilliant red autumn foliage make it a standout among the arboretum’s oak collection.<\/p>\n

                  As a West Virginia native species, Shumard Oak helps demonstrate the diversity of native oaks found across the state while providing visitors with an opportunity to compare characteristics of the white and red oak groups.<\/p>\n

                  Quick Facts<\/h2>\n

                  Common Name:<\/strong> Shumard Oak
                  \nScientific Name:<\/strong> Quercus shumardii<\/em>
                  \nFamily:<\/strong> Fagaceae
                  \nNative Region:<\/strong> West Virginia Native
                  \nMature Height:<\/strong> 60-90 feet (occasionally 100+ feet)
                  \nMature Spread:<\/strong> 40-60 feet
                  \nGrowth Rate:<\/strong> Moderate to Fast
                  \nSun Requirements:<\/strong> Full Sun
                  \nSoil Preferences:<\/strong> Deep, fertile, well-drained soils; adaptable to a variety of conditions
                  \nUSDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 5-9
                  \nBloom Period:<\/strong> April to May
                  \nFruit\/Seed:<\/strong> Acorns that mature in two growing seasons
                  \nWildlife Value:<\/strong> Important food source for birds and mammals; supports numerous native insects
                  \nNotable Characteristics:<\/strong> Large size, broad canopy, vibrant red fall color, and adaptability to urban environments<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Quercus shumardii Overview The Shumard Oak is a large native hardwood tree valued for its impressive size, adaptability, and brilliant fall color. A member of the red oak group, it is among the most stately oaks found in the eastern United States and is widely planted as a shade tree in parks, campuses, and urban<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-narrow.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-594","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=594"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/594\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":595,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/594\/revisions\/595"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}