Shumard Oak Government Response Statement

Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) is a large tree with deeply-furrowed bark and an open, spreading crown. Its leaves are shiny and have deep indents between the lobes of the leaf, helping to distinguish it from the similar-looking Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra). The autumn leaves of Shumard Oak are deep crimson or wine red colour and remain on the tree longer than other native oaks. Shumard Oak is native to eastern North America and in Canada is restricted to the Carolinian life zone in extreme southern Ontario in Essex, Lambton, and Elgin counties and the regional municipalities of Chatham- Kent and Niagara. It grows on moist, well-drained loamy soils of stream and river terraces, and adjacent ridges and bluffs, as well as on moist slopes and poorly drained uplands. There are only 40 to 50 known locations for the species in Ontario. Many records of current and historical locations are of single, relict trees along fencerows and roads or in fields. Some populations are in protected areas and some show evidence of regeneration (young trees).

Special concern in Ontario

The protection and management of species of special concern is a key part of protecting Ontario’s biodiversity. Biodiversity — the variety of life on Earth — provides us with clean air and water, food, fibre, medicine and other resources that we need to survive.

The Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) is the Government of Ontario’s legislative commitment to protecting and managing species of special concern and their habitats. A species is classified as special concern if it lives in the wild in Ontario, is not endangered or threatened, but may become threatened or endangered due to a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

Government response statements

The management plan for Shumard Oak was completed on June 28, 2013. Management plans are prepared for the Government of Ontario based on the current scientific knowledge for each species and identify approaches for the management of species of special concern.

This response statement is the government's policy response (subsection 12 (5) of the ESA) to the possible actions identified in the management plan. The response statement summarizes the actions that the Government of Ontario intends to take in response to the management plan and the government priorities in taking those actions. The response also reflects the best available knowledge at this time and may be modified if new information becomes available.

Moving forward to protect and manage Shumard Oak

Shumard Oak is listed as a species of special concern under the ESA. One of the main threats to Shumard Oak is habitat loss and fragmentation due to the fact that Shumard Oak is found in the most densely populated region of Ontario. The four counties where Shumard Oak occurs have had among the highest rates of forest clearing in Ontario. Many Ontario Shumard Oaks are found in fencerows and remnant woodlots on farms which are vulnerable to removal by landowners. Shumard Oak is also vulnerable to changes in hydrology by the installation of tile drainage which increases stress in swamp forest species, making them vulnerable to disease and pests and would reduce or prevent regeneration. Shumard Oak is also vulnerable to impacts from invasive species such as defoliation from the gypsy moths (Lymantria spp.), attacks from the European Oak Borer and the Granulate Ambrosia Beetle, as well as diseases such as Oak Wilt and Sudden Oak Death. It can be difficult to distinguish Shumard Oak from other oaks in the red oak group and the average person is not versed in oak identification or even aware of the species. Because of this, Shumard Oak acorns could be inadvertently collected. Since there are estimated to be fewer than one thousand Shumard Oak in Ontario, collection of Shumard Oak acorns for any purpose other than cultivation may threaten the ability of the species to maintain and expand its populations.

Management goal

The Government of Ontario’s goal for the management of Shumard Oak is to maintain or restore populations within its Ontario range so that they are self-sustaining.

Management objectives and actions

Protecting and recovering species at risk is a shared responsibility. No single agency or organization has the knowledge, authority or financial resources to protect and recover all of Ontario’s species at risk. Successful recovery requires inter-governmental co-operation and the involvement of many individuals, organizations and communities.

In developing the government response statement, the Ministry considered what actions are feasible for the government to lead directly and what actions are feasible for the government to support its conservation partners to undertake. Government-led actions are those that the government will directly undertake to protect and manage the species. Government-supported actions are those that are endorsed by the government as being necessary for the protection and management of the species. Support for conservation agencies, municipalities, industry partners and Aboriginal communities to undertake actions will be provided where appropriate through funding, and advisory services.

Implementation of the actions may be subject to changing priorities across the multitude of species at risk, available resources and the capacity of partners to undertake recovery activities. Where appropriate, the implementation of actions for multiple species will be co-ordinated across government response statements.

Government-led management actions

• Encourage the submission of Shumard Oak data to the Ministry’s central repository at the Natural Heritage Information Centre.

Government-supported management actions

1. Develop a standardized survey and monitoring protocol and implement the protocol to:
   • Identify Shumard Oak occurrences in Ontario; and,
   • Assess population size and health, reproduction, habitat quality threats and limiting factors at occupied sites.
   Priority: High

Government-led management actions

• Continue to implement protection for species of special concern and their habitat through provincial park management planning process.
• Encourage municipalities to consider the habitat of Shumard Oak as significant wildlife habitat and/or significant woodland under the Provincial Policy Statement.
• Continue to implement the Ontario Invasive Species Strategic Plan to address the invasive species that threaten Shumard Oak.
• Encourage planning and environmental authorities to consider the conservation of Shumard Oak in management planning and decision making. (e.g., drainage works and forest management plans).

Government-supported management actions

2. Develop forest management guidelines and best management practices to maintain habitat suitability, regeneration, and minimize the impacts on Shumard Oak by insect pests such as gypsy moths, and diseases.
   Priority: Medium
3. Installation of long term deer exclosures around Shumard Oak in areas with abundant deer populations to encourage natural regeneration.
   Priority: Low

Government-led management actions

• Continue forest pest monitoring programs in Southern Ontario (example: gypsy moth population monitoring and outbreak prediction).

4. Conduct research to determine impacts of insect pests on Shumard Oak.
   Priority: Low
5. Conduct research into the impacts of invasive species on Shumard Oak and potential control measures (e.g., earthworms, forest pests).
   Priority: Low
6. Conduct research into identifying genetic markers for red oaks and specifically Shumard Oak to ensure accurate identification of the species on the landscape, and to minimize inadvertent harvest of the tree.
   Priority: Low

Government-led management actions

• Undertake communications and outreach to increase public awareness of species at risk in Ontario.

Government-supported management actions

7. Develop education and outreach materials for forestry and related professionals to identify Shumard Oak.
   Priority: High
8. Develop and distribute Best Management Practices and other communication materials to educate landowners, forestry professionals, and woodlot associations about insect pests of Shumard Oak and other oaks.
   Priority: High

Implementing actions

Financial support for the implementation of actions may be available through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, Species at Risk Research Fund for Ontario, and the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program. Conservation partners are encouraged to discuss project proposals related to the actions in this response statement with the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Implementation of the actions may be subject to changing priorities across the multitude of species at risk, available resources and the capacity of partners to undertake recovery activities. Where appropriate, the implementation of actions for multiple species will be co-ordinated across government response statements.

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank all those who participated in the development of the “Management Plan for Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) in Ontario” for their dedication to protecting and managing species of special concern.

For additional information:

Visit the Species at Risk website
Contact your MNR district office
Contact the Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY: 1-866-686-6072
Email: NRISC@ontario.ca
Website: Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry