Post Oak
Quercus stellata · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Cruciform or cross-shaped, distinctly 5-lobed with the middle pair of lobes being squarish and much larger, resembling a cross or star
Margin
Entire (smooth margins without teeth)
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the twigs
Venation
Pinnate venation with a prominent, raised pale midrib and branching lateral veins
Key Features
The distinctive cross-shaped (cruciform) 5-lobed leaf with square-ish middle lobes, leathery texture, and star-shaped pubescence underneath are the ultimate diagnostic features for identification
Description
The post oak is a medium-sized deciduous tree known for its rugged, gnarled appearance and distinctive foliage. The bark is dark brown and deeply furrowed. It produces small acorns that mature in one season. The crown is often rounded and dense, casting deep shade in dry upland woods where few other trees thrive.
Habitat
Found in dry, poor soils, rocky ridges, upland forests, and dry sandy woodlands; thrives in full sun and handles drought exceptionally well
Native Range
Native to the eastern and central United States, stretching from Massachusetts west to Nebraska, and south to Florida and Texas