The Post Oak (Quercus stellata) has a range from Massachusetts west to Illinois then south to central Texas east to central Florida. Post oak gets its name from the fact that it was once used extensivly for post because of it durability when in contact with the soil. Post oak is one of the more drought resistant oaks.
Post Oaks can be easily recognized by their very distinctive leave shape which has be likened to a “Maltese cross”. The bark is much like that of a white oak and the acorns are a half inch long or slightly longer and covers 1/3 to 1/2 of the acorn.
Post oak is a white oak and it acorns only take 1 year to form and drop unlike red oaks which require two years. The acorns is highly valued by wildlife such as deer, squirrels, turkeys, and raccoons. Leaves are used to build nest by birds, squirrels, and raccoons and older trees with cavities homes for various birds and mammals.