133 



POST OAK. 



Quercus stellata, Wangenheim. 



FORM A medium-sized tree, usually attaining height of 50-60 ft. but may reach a maximum 

 height of 90 ft. with a diameter of 4 feet. In the open it forms a dense, broad, deep, round- 

 topped crown with stout and spreading branches. Toward its northern limit it is a large shrub. 



BARK On trunks somewhat similar to that of White Oak only darker and often rougher and 

 less scaly. On young branches it is often covered with loose, dark scales. 



TWIGS Stout, covered with yellowish rusty pubescence, at first light orange In color, later 

 dark brown. Season's growth stands in strong contrast with later growth on account of much 

 lighter color. Pubescence soon turns dark and finally disappears. 



BTJDS Alternate, broadly ovate, about J of an inch long, sometimes as broad as long, 

 blunt-pointed, covered with numerous overlapping, reddish-brown, slightly pubescent scales. 



LEAVES Alternate, simple, obovate in outline, 4-7 inches long, 3-5 inches wide, thick, 

 leathery, generally 5-lobed; the middle pair of lobes is the largest and is separated by deep 

 sinuses; upper surface of leaf is bright green, shiny; lower surface is paler and coated with 

 rusty pubescence. 



LEAF-SCARS See "Leaf-Scars" under White Oak, page 132. 



FLOWERS Appear about May. Staminate borne In slender aments 4-6 Inches long. Pistillate 

 sessile or short-stalked, woolly; stigmas bright red. 



FRTIIT An acorn, maturing at end of first season; usually sessile, occurs solitary, in pairs or 

 clustered. Nut oval, J-f of an inch long, hairy at apex, longitudinally striped with darker 

 brown, inclosed by cup for $-* of its length. Cup thin, hairy within, and covered with thin, 

 pale, flat woolly scales. 



WOOD Ring-porous; with conspicuous medullary rays; heavy, hard, close-grained, very durable, 

 light to dark brown, with light sapwoodi Weighs 52.14 Ibs. per cubic foot. Used for the same 

 purposes as White Oak. It is found on the market mixed with White Oak. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS In summer the Post Oak, also known as Iron Oak, 

 may at once be recognized by the peculiar form of its leaves, with large rounded or squarish 

 lobes. The three terminal lobes are the largest and the basal lobes taken together are wedge-shaped 

 in outline. The rigid leathery leaves with their shiny green upper surface and rusty pubescent 

 lower surface, and the rusty pubescent twigs are characteristic. In winter its short obtuse buds 

 and stout rusty pubescent twigs are distinctive. The buds have also a brighter reddish color than 

 those of the White Oak. 



RANGE Massachusetts, central Pennsylvania, Kansas, south to Florida and Texas. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA Found locally in the eastern and southern parts, but 

 not in the western and northern. 



HABITAT Common on dry rocky soil. Found on gravelly uplands, limestone hills, and sandy 

 plains. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES The Post Oak closely resembles the White Oak, especially 

 in the wood, which is sold as White Oak. On account of its limited distribution in Pennsyl- 

 vania, and the superiority of the White Oak, this species cannot be recommended for 

 forestry purposes on an extensive scale. It will, however, grow on poorer soil than the White 

 Oak and might be established upon such areas. It is difficult to transplant and grows slowly. 



