P OST O AK

C LASSIFICATION Kingdom: Plante Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopisda Order: Fagales Family: Fagaceae Genus: Quercus stelleata Wang. Species: Post Oak

S HAPE, F ORM, T YPE ~A mature Post Oak grows to be between 40 and 5 feet ~The tree has a spread that averages from 35 to 50 feet ~The tree has a course texture, slow growth rate, round shape and open density Figure 1

B ARK ~The Post Oak has very similar bark to that of the White Oak. The color however, is slightly darker and has a grayer tint. ~Like the other Oaks, the Post Oak has bark divided into irregular rectangular shapes that seem to peel away from the tree at their ends. Figure 2

T WIG & B UD The Post Oak has twigs very similar to all other Oak trees in the beech family. The buds grow in clusters at the end of the stem and are speckled with small texture providing bumps. Figure 3

L EAF The Post Oak leaf has a distinct cross-like shape. It, like the other Oak leaves are simple, lobed, and alternating. Figure 4

F LOWER, AND F RUIT The flower and fruit of the Post Oak look almost identical to those of the Overcup and White Oak. They have the same clustered flowers and acorn-like fruits. These fruits in particular are almost indistinguishable from the White Oak’s fruits. Figure 5Figure 6

H ABITAT AND R ANGE ~The Post Oak is most common in the Southwest, the Southwest coast line, and at the bottom of the Appalachian Mountains. ~The Post Oak can thrive between 50 ° and 72 °F in warmer areas, and between 12 ° and -40 °F in extreme conditions recording during winters in Missouri ~ The Post Oak can grow in soils types that resemble upper slopes, rocky outcrops, and ridges. They seem to grow more frequently in dry soil’ or areas that drain rain water well. Figure 7

U SES The Post Oak is a primary provider In the food chain for small forest animals and insects. Also, the Post Oak is used in parks and recreational areas as a ornamental tree.

W ORK C ITED : T EXT Natural Resources Conservation Service. Date Retrieved: 6/23/ Quercus stellata Post Oak. Date Retrieved: 6/23/ What tree is it?. Date Retrieved: 6/23/ Identifying Oaks and Maples. Date Retrieved: 6/23/ Quercus stellata Wangenh. Date Retrieved: 6/23/ Western North Carolina Nature Center. Date Retrieved: 6/23/ fagaceae-beech-familyhttp:// fagaceae-beech-family

W ORK C ITED : I MAGES Figure 1: Post Oak form pg Figure 2: Post Oak bark Figure 3: Post Oak twig Figure 4: Post Oak leaf Figure 5: Post Oak flower Figure 6: Post Oak fruit Figure 7: Post Oak habitat