Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

▲ young tree 

▲▼ mature trees 

▲▼ mature trees 

▲▼ leaves  

▲▼ leaves  

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

▲▼ buds 

▲▼ acorns 

▲▼ trunk and bark 

▲▼ 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)