Introduction

This 40- to 50-foot-tall deciduous tree creates a dense, rounded canopy of spreading, twisted branches, but is not cultivated in nurseries. The 4- to 6-inch-long by 3- to 4-inch-wide, shiny, dark green leaves are deeply lobed and appear somewhat in the shape of a Maltese cross. Only rarely do the leaves change to a golden brown in the fall before dropping. The one-half to one-inch-long acorns are quite popular with squirrels and other wildlife. Old trees growing on good soil form a wonderful silhouette in the winter, with large-diameter, curving branches growing from a sinuous trunk.

General Information

Scientific name: Quercus stellata

Pronunciation: KWERK-us stell-AY-tuh

Common name(s): Post oak

Family: Fagaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 6A through 9A (Fig. 2)

Origin: native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: reclamation; specimen; shade; highway median

Availability: not native to North America

Description

Height: 40 to 50 feet

Spread: 35 to 50 feet

Crown uniformity: irregular

Crown shape: round

Crown density: open

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: parted, lobed

Leaf shape: elliptic (oval), obovate

Leaf venation: pinnate, reticulate

Leaf type and persistence: deciduous

Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: copper

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: brown

Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: round, oval

Fruit length: .5 to 1 inch

Fruit covering: dry or hard

Fruit color: brown

Fruit characteristics: attracts squirrels/mammals; not showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; showy; typically one trunk; thorns

Pruning requirement: little required

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: gray, brown

Current year twig thickness: thick

Wood specific gravity: 0.67

Culture

Light requirement: full sun

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; slightly alkaline; well-drained

Drought tolerance: high

Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: yes

Outstanding tree: no

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant

Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Use and Management

Most often found on dry, low-fertility, sandy soils, post oak is extremely drought-tolerant. Trees should be located in full sun. Native trees are very sensitive to soil compaction, drainage changes and soil disturbance. Do not disturb the soil beneath the canopy on a construction site if the tree is to be saved.

Propagation is by seed.

Pests and Diseases

No pests or diseases of major concern but the tree occasionally succumbs to chestnut blight. There are many other potential problems on oaks but none are normally serious. Post oak is susceptible to oak wilt.