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Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Post Oak

Quercus stellata
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Gold

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Sun Exposure 
Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry
Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Cover, Food/Birds, Food/Small Animals, Nesting
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

40 to
50
feet

Spread:

40 to
50
feet
Size
Height: 40 to
50
feet
Spread: 40 to
50
feet
Size
Height: 40 to
50
feet
Spread: 40 to
50
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Great for areas that experience a wet spring and very dry conditions throughout the rest of the growing season.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grows in extremely dry sites and can survive where it is wet in the spring and baking dry in the summer-very tough! A slow- to average- growing oak (12" - 24" per year), depending on soil fertility and aspect.
Special Features
Interesting Bark, Nuts
Special Usage
Basic Description

This oak produces a dense, round crown with strong spreading branches. Leaves are large and round lobed with the mid lobes considerably wider than those at the top and base of each leaf. Fall color can be a nice golden brown. The acorns are usually in pairs with no stalk, half-covered by the cap. A long lived and drought tolerant tree. Attracts squirrels, turkeys, moth and butterfly caterpillars.

Green post oak leaves with round lobes.

Round lobed leaves of post oak. Photo: Carol Davit.

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