re: Shumard red oak

Just saw your reply, the other poster is right. They shed leaves more gradually and they are more slender leaves. Many oaks like different conditions mainly regarding wetter vs dryer sites, so if you pick an oak then make sure it fits that site. Willow, Nutall, Overcup, Live, and Water oaks generally tolerate wetter sites compared to White and Shumard oaks. Swamp Chestnuts are kind of in the middle - not super wet floodplain but doesn’t need to be on a ridge top either. 20-30’ is pretty close to a home and pool just in my opinion. We have a live oak about 30’ from a pool and even a live oak (mostly evergreen) fills the skimmer with leaves daily - at least right now it is.