Towering over the Texas landscape, the Shumard Red Oak, also known as the Shumard Oak, Swamp Red Oak, or Spotted Oak, is a truly majestic sight. This native Texan boasts a wide-spreading canopy that transforms from a narrow, open habit in its youth to a grand, rounded crown in maturity. Standing tall and proud, it offers a welcome respite from the Texas sun with its expansive shade. Despite its grand stature, the Shumard Red Oak is surprisingly easy to care for. A fast grower, it matures quickly and requires only moderate amounts of fertilizer and moisture once established. Its glossy dark green leaves, adorned with 5 to 7 deep lobes and bristly tips, provide visual interest throughout the spring and summer. But the true showstopper comes in fall, when these vibrant leaves transform into a fiery display of red to red-orange, adding a touch of brilliance to the autumn landscape. The Shumard Red Oak’s beauty extends beyond its leaves. Younger trees showcase a smooth, light gray bark. As the tree matures, this bark darkens to a dramatic gray or black, adorned with a network of ridges and furrows, creating a textural contrast that adds further character to this already magnificent tree.