Post oak is a widely distributed species, typically found on dry sites. Post oak is used for a variety of wood products. Like other oaks, it also provides acorns for wildlife, and is often planted as a shade tree.
Light 
Post oak is slow growing and shade intolerant - clearcut or seed-tree methods combined with competition removal allow for regeneration. Best success occurs on drier sites.
Water
Post oak is very common on the Piedmont, on dry ridges, and exhibits tremendous drought resistance.
Growth
Size
A small to Medium sized tree up to 65 feet tall with a crown that has gnarled and twisted branches.
Timber Value 
Post oak is used for flooring, veneer, trim moldings, stair risers and treads, siding, lathing, planks, construction timbers, mine timbers, railroad ties, fence posts, pulp products, and fuelwood.
Wildlife Value 
Acorns are eaten by a variety of species. Leaves are used for building nests by birds and raccoons. Cavities are home to many birds and mammals.
Attracts squirrels, various other rodents, deer, various birds, raccoons
Fun Facts
Post oak is susceptible to chestnut blight, which has caused heavy losses. Post oak gets its name from the traditional use of the wood for fence posts.
Latin Meaning
Quercus: Latin name /
stellata: stellate (covered with stars), referring to hairs on leaf undersides
Home - I.D. Fact Sheet - USDA Silvics Manual - Additional Silvics
Landowner Factsheets © 2004 Virginia Tech Forestry Department, all rights reserved. Text, images, and programming by: Dr. Jeff Kirwan, Dr. John R. Seiler, John A. Peterson, Edward C. Jensen, Guy Phillips, or Andrew S. Meeks.