Florida Forest Trees

Shumard oak  (Quercus shumardii)

Shumard oak is one of the largest species in the southern red oak group. It is a fast-growing tree used widely for commercial lumber, interior trim, cabinetry and furniture. Shumard oak is also an excellent shade tree because of its broad, rounded canopy.

The fruit is an important component of the diets of numerous species of songbirds, wild turkeys, waterfowl, white-tailed deer, and various species of squirrels . White-tailed deer utilize the twigs and leaves for winter browse as well.

The wood is used commercially for cabinets, furniture, floors, and lumber.

 

Twigs and leaves
 
Shumard oak ranges from the mid-Atlantic coastal plain south to northern Florida and west to central Oklahoma and Texas. It is occasionally found as far north as southern Michigan or Pennsylvania.

 Identifying Characteristics
Size/Form:
 Shumard oak is a large tree that often grows to heights of 80' to 125'. It has a slightly buttressed trunk and broad, open crown.
Leaves:
 The leaves are simple, alternately arranged and deciduous, with a general obovate shape, 6" to 8" long and 4" to 5" wide. Each leaf has from 5 to 7 rounded lobes with bristle-like tips. Leaves are dark green and smooth on the upper surface and are of paler color underneath, with scattered deposits of brownish, waxy hairs.
Fruit:
 The fruit is an acorn about 1" long, with striping along the sides. It is partially covered by a slightly hairy, saucer-shaped cup.
Bark:
 The lower bark is thick, dark and deeply furrowed, with lighter colored, scaly ridges. Bark nearer to the top of the tree is smoother in texture.
Habitat:
 Shumard oaks prefer deep, moist, rich soils and are generally found bordering streams or swampy areas.


Photos
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Bark
Leaf
Acorns 


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