Post Oak
Quercus stellata · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Distinctively cross-shaped or cruciform lobed leaf with 5 lobes, featuring a broad middle pair of lobes resembling a cross or post
Margin
Entire (smooth) margins on the lobes, lacking the bristled tips found in red oaks
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the twig with a short petiole
Venation
Pinnate venation with a prominent midrib and raised secondary veins branching out into the lobes
Key Features
The unmistakable cruciform or cross-like leaf shape with five distinct lobes, leathery texture, and the hairy lower leaf surface separate post oak from nearly all other white oak species
Description
Post oak is a medium-sized deciduous tree recognized instantly by its deeply lobed, cross-shaped leaves. The tree typically grows 40 to 50 feet tall with a dense, rounded crown, rough furrowed dark bark, and produces small acorns that mature in one season. It is a defining species of the upland oak-savanna and cross timbers ecosystems.
Habitat
Dry uplands, poor sandy or rocky soils, ridges, and dry woods; highly drought-tolerant and slow-growing
Native Range
Native to the eastern and central United States, extending from Massachusetts west to Iowa and south to Florida and Texas