Common Name: Shumard Oak
Scientific Name: Quercus shumardii
Family: Fagaceae
Origin: Southeastern United States
The Shumard oak grows to heights of 40-60 feet tall. They have a pyramid shaped canopy in its youth that becomes more rounded and even in shape as it matures. The leaves are dark-green in color with deep lobes and bristled tips at the end of the lobes. Leaves are usually around 6-8 inches long. Trees bloom in the early spring as the leaves start to emerge. Trees are monecious, meaning both female and male flowers are on one plant, but in different locations. Both male flowers and female flowers are inconspicuous catkins (which are tightly clustered same sex flowers, that mostly lack petals and usually use wind for pollination). The male flowers are light green in color while the female flowers have a slight reddish- brown coloration. Around 2 years after being pollinated, the female flowers produce acorns. Usually, it takes around 25 years before these trees produce acorns. The bark of young trees starts out smooth and then develops vertical ridges at maturity.