Scarlet Oak vs Shumard Oak
This guide is under construction and has not been published yet. It may have errors. When in doubt, double-check other sources for definitive ID.These two species are sometimes confused, as both have leaves with 5-9 lobes and deep sinuses. In the wild, they have little overlap in habitat, but they are both widely planted in landscaping on sites where they would not occur in the wild.
Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) | Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) |
A large, fast-growing, short-lived red oak of dry upland sites, named for the dark red color of its fall foliage. | A large red oak native to calcium-rich bottomlands in the southeastern to central US. |
Acorn cap covers more of the nut (1/3rd to 1/2) |  Acorn cap covers less of the nut (1/4 to 1/3rd) Photo © Annika Lindqvist, CC BY 4.0. |
References & External Resources
These short lists show only links helpful for ID. For a complete list of references and resources also covering other aspects of ecology, visit the links section of the full article on each plant, which is the first entry here.
