Oak, Shumard

This species, one of the largest Southern red oaks, was named for Benjamin F. Shumard, an early state geologist of Texas. The Shumard Oak is found in the eastern part of the state on well-drained, alluvial soils and on fertile slopes. It forms a tall, wide-spreading rather open head. The BARK is dark, rough, divided into ridges, and usually from 1 to 1-1/2 inches thick. It seldom comprises the principal species of any forest stands, but more often occurs as individual trees. It attains a diameter of more than 3 feet and a height of more than 100 feet, but is usually smaller.

Winter BUDS are covered with grey, smooth scales where the buds of the Texas oak are covered with densely pubescent scales.

The LEAVES are deciduous, simple, alternate 6 to 8 inches long by 4 to 5 inches wide; 7-lobed, rarely 5, where each lobe has 2 or 3 deep tooth indentations. The lobes are frequently thicker than shown above. The leaves are smaller and more deeply lobed than those of the black oak. Leaves are smooth surfaced except for dense tufts of pale hairs at the axils of the veins on the underside.

The FRUIT is a small acorn about 2/3 inch in diameter and 3/4 to 1-1/4 inch long set in a shallow, saucer-like cup.

The WOOD is heavy, hard, strong, close-grained, and light-reddish brown in color and is commercially important for lumber and cross ties.

The variety shumardii has leaves with narrow lobes, a rougher, dark grayish bark and deeper cups to the acorns. It is the more common form in Texas.