Fast-Growing Shade Tree Shumard Oak, Quercus shumardii, is one of the fastest growing Red Oaks. It’s a deciduous shade tree loved by wildlife and would look great in a front or side yard to shield your home from the summer sun.   Shumard Oak Trees can reach 90 feet at maturity with a 60 foot spread, providing you with an outstanding shade tree in a fraction of the time that most Red Oaks would require.  The 4-8 inches pointed, deep-lobed leaves are shiny and dark green, filling out the coarse, rounded crown.    Planting a Shumard Oak Tree provides you with an impressive shade tree, but the Shumard Oak has even more to offer you. As your tree ages, 1-inch acorns will be an added benefit of your tree.  You can sit back and watch the show as these acorns, particularly loved by wildlife, provide a meal for your nature neighbors. If you prefer to not share the harvest from your Shumard Oak Tree, simply remove the tannins from your acorns and they can be eaten raw or ground for use as a flour or coffee.    As autumn approaches, your Shumard Oak Tree will put on a brilliant show of reds and oranges to finish out the season.    Long-lived and hardy, the Shumard Oak Tree is an excellent choice for your landscape.  It will provide you with years of shade, color and an edible harvest for your entire family to enjoy.   * Fast-growing * Shade * Seasonal color * Edible fruit.