A large tree, Shumard Oak is uncommon in bottomland forests, most common in areas with basic or circumneutral soil.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Backlit leaves.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Sun leaves seen from far below.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Durham Co., NC 5/3/08.

The similar Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra) has less deeply lobed leaves that are less glossy above. Scarlet Oak(Q. coccinea) occurs in drier areas, has smaller, glossier leaves, and turbinate (instead of flat and shallow) acorn cups.

Durham Co., NC 5/3/08.

Shumard Oak leaves turn brown-red in fall instead of the bright scarlet of Scarlet Oak.

Durham Co., NC 6/8/2003.

Bark of a young tree. Bark is similar to that of Northern Red Oak, smoothish when young, then breaking into vertical ridges.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Bark of a larger tree.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.