Shumard Red Oak

Shumard Red Oak: Strength, Shade, and Timeless Color

Stately and enduring, the Shumard Red Oak is one of Central Texas’s most reliable shade trees — a symbol of strength, longevity, and quiet beauty. Its broad canopy, glossy green leaves, and deep red fall color bring a sense of permanence and seasonal drama to both traditional and modern landscapes. Fast-growing in its youth yet long-lived, it matures into a commanding presence that cools homes, defines streetscapes, and anchors open spaces for generations.

Shumard thrives where other large trees struggle — anchoring deeply in the loam and clay soils of east and south Austin while adapting equally well to the shallow, fast-draining soils of the Edwards Plateau and the compacted soils found around new home sites. It tolerates heat and short droughts once established but responds to regular moisture in its early years with faster growth, a stronger root system, and denser canopy. In autumn, its leaves turn brilliant shades of crimson and copper, delivering one of Austin’s most reliable fall color displays.

This is a tree for designers who think in terms of legacy — strong against wind and weather, refined enough for city neighborhoods, and adaptable enough to endure for decades.

Landscape Performance

• Tamaño maduro: 50–70 ft H, 40–60 ft W
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
• Form: Broadly pyramidal when young, maturing to a rounded canopy
• Foliage: Deep green in summer, vivid red to bronze in fall
• Necesidad de luz: Pleno sol
• Necesidad de agua: Baja una vez establecida
• Resistencia al frío: Zone 7a (≈ 0–5 °F)

Design Uses

• Classic canopy tree for lawns, streets, and large courtyards
• Provides bold structure and dependable seasonal color
• Excellent companion to Live Oak, Cedar Elm, and native understory trees
• Ideal for residential and civic landscapes needing long-term shade
• Pairs beautifully with native grasses and perennials for textural contrast

Atención

• Planting: Requires well-drained soil; thrives in the dense clays of the Blackland Prairie when planted slightly above grade in loosened native soil with a wide mulch ring. For rocky limestone soils plant in a wide, shallow hole over native limestone, backfill with existing soil, and mulch lightly to retain moisture and protect roots in fast-draining conditions.
• Riego: Deep, infrequent watering during the first three years promotes deep roots; once established, Shumard needs little supplemental irrigation.
• Inspection: Check annually for scale, borers, or drought stress—especially after construction or extended dry periods.
• Poda: Light annual pruning when young to develop strong branch spacing; avoid topping or heavy limb removal.
• Fertilizer: Apply a light spring feeding of MicroLife Ultimate 8-4-6 to support canopy density and long-term vigor.

En Leaf Landscape Supply, we offer a beautiful selection Shumard Red Oaks perfect for Austin’s soils and climate. Visit with your designer today — our Certified Professionals can help you choose the perfect specimen for lasting shade and classic Central Texas color.