Quercus shumardii

Quercus shumardii Autumn (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 35m

Eventual Spread: 25m

Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Fagaceae

Quercus shumardii is a long lived deciduous tree with a conic to ovate crown when young, maturing to a spreading crown. Its dark green leaves are obovate with up to 9 lobes, up to 20cm long and 15cm broad. Its leaves turn red/ brown in autumn before they fall. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 1m. Its bark is light grey and smooth when young and darker grey with ridges as it matures. Its flowers are monoecious, the male being light brown/ green catkins, the female are small and insignificant. Its fruit are cupped acorns which are up to 3cm across.

Quercus shumardii Autumn Leaf (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Quercus shumardii, commonly known as Shumard Oak, Spotted Oak or Shumard Red Oak is native to  south east and south central USA. In its native habitat it grows in mixed forests in lowland areas which occasionally flood.

The etymological root of the binomial name Quercus is derived from the Latin name for an Oak tree, but some authorities believe it to be derived from the Celtic quer meaning ‘fine’ and cuez meaning ‘a tree’. Shumardii is named after Benjamin Franklin Shumard (1820 – 1869), an American geologist.

Quercus shumardii Bark (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Quercus shumardii useful as a parkland tree with attractive autumn leaf colour. It is also suitable for rain garden and swale planting due to its tolerance of flooded soils. Once established this tree is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Quercus shumardii acorns are attractive to some mammals and birds.

Quercus shumardii prefers moist, deep, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Quercus shumardii requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Quercus faginea

Quercus faginea (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Early spring

Eventual Height: 20m

Eventual Spread: 15m

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Fagaceae

Quercus faginea is a deciduous or semi evergreen tree with a spreading habit. Its glossy dark green leaves are elliptic with irregular dentate margins, up to 10cm long and 4cm across. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 80cm Its flowers are monoecious and wind pollinated. Its male flowers are yellow catkins. Its fruit are ovoid acorns which are held in a cup and up to 2.5cm long.

Quercus faginea, commonly known as Portuguese Oak or Valencian Oak, is native to the west Mediterranean region, including Spain and Portugal. In its native habit it grows in extreme Mediterranean climates in mixed forests.

The etymological root of the binomial name Quercus is the ancient Latin name for an oak tree but some authorities believe it to be derived from the Celtic quer meaning ‘fine’ and cuez meaning ‘a tree’. Faginea refers to the species resemblance to the Fagus genus.

Quercus faginea Leaf (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The Landscape architect may find Quercus faginea useful as a semi evergreen specimen tree suitable for poor soils. Once established this tree is drought tollerant.

Ecologically, Quercus faginea acorns are attractive to birds and mammals.

Quercus faginea prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It tolerates poor soils.

Quercus faginea requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out in late autumn to winter.



Landscape Architecture

Quercus coccifera

Quercus coccifera (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Free draining soil

Flowering period: Spring

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Fagaceae

Quercus coccifera is an evergreen shrub (rarely a small tree) with a dense bushy habit. Its leathery dark green leaves are elliptic with spiny margins, up to 4cm long and 3cm across. Its flowers are monoecious and wind pollinated. Its male flowers are yellow catkins. Its fruit are acorns which are held in a cup and up to 2cm across. Its root may produce suckers which may aid its slow spread.

Quercus coccifera, commonly known as Kermes Oak or Chaparro, is native to the Mediterranean region and the North Africa Maghreb. In its native habit it grows in extreme Mediterranean climates and can be found on windy sea cliffs.

Quercus coccifera Leaf (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Quercus is the ancient Latin name for an oak tree but some authorities believe it to be derived from the Celtic quer meaning ‘fine’ and cuez meaning ‘a tree’. Coccifera is derived from the Latin coccum meaning ‘scarlet’.

The Landscape architect may find Quercus coccifera useful as an evergreen specimen shrub. Once established this tree is drought tollerant.

Ecologically, Quercus coccifera is is attractive to nesting birds for shelter and nesting sites. Its acorns are attractive to birds and mammals.

Quercus coccifera prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It tolerates poor soils.

Quercus coccifera requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out in late autumn to winter.



Landscape Architecture