




Quercus stellata
The post oak is a strong tree with a wide trunk and beautiful leaves. It grows in many places and provides shade for animals and people alike. Its acorns are a tasty treat for squirrels and birds!
Habitat: Forests
The post oak has distinctively lobed leaves, often appearing cross-shaped and leathery, with a dark green top and fuzzy, lighter underside. Its thick, rough, deeply furrowed bark is usually gray-brown, and the tree often forms a rugged, spreading crown.





Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
5
Its hard, rot-resistant wood was once vital for fence posts, hence its name!
Look closely at its leaves; they often resemble a cross or a blunt hand shape!
Some bugs create tiny "galls" on post oak leaves, looking like tiny alien homes!
Young post oak leaves can be covered in tiny star-shaped hairs for protection!
Post oaks have thick, fire-resistant bark that helps protect the inner wood from low-intensity wildfires, allowing them to regrow and thrive.
This tree can grow a deep taproot to reach water far underground, helping it survive long dry periods where other plants might wilt.
Post oaks have a special ability to grow well in poor, rocky, or sandy soils where many other trees struggle, making them hardy pioneers.

Sciurus carolinensis
Collects and consumes its nutritious acorns.

Callosamia promethea
Its caterpillars feed on post oak leaves.

Sialia sialis
Uses post oak branches for nesting and perching.

Bonasa umbellus
Forages on its acorns and buds.
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source.
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
No aliases listed yet.
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Stay clear of falling branches and be gentle around trees.
The easiest way to identify post oak is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
1200-2500 cm
900-1800 cm
1-5 cm
Spring
No
Mild
Perennial
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
South Carolina, US
You might spot American Alligator, Anole, and Great Blue Heron.
View guide →

Texas, US
You might spot Grooved Nipple Cactus and Blanchard's Cricket Frog.
View guide →

New Jersey, US
You might spot Sweet Pepperbush, Sheep Laurel, and Pickerelweed.
View guide →
South Carolina, US
You might spot Gulf Fritillary, Admiral Butterfly, and Cypress Vine.
View guide →

Massachusetts, US
You might spot Sheep Laurel and Common Eastern Bumble Bee.
View guide →

Tennessee, US
You might spot American Coot, Crane-Fly Orchid, and Pied-Billed Grebe.
View guide →