Handbook of Trees of the NoRTirEKX States 



167 



The Post Oak is usually a tree of medium 

 stature attaining a height of 50 or 00 ft., but 

 in the exceptional forests of the Ohio basin it 

 is said to attain a height of 100 ft. and ilS 

 trunk a diameter of about 3 ft. When growing 

 in the open fields it develops a rounded or 

 obovoid top with stout branchlets and shining 

 dark green foliage, which in autumn turns to 

 various shades of yellow and brown. 



It is one of the most marked of our oaks in 

 the peculiarity of its leaves, which, tufted at 

 the ends of the branchlets in great star-shaned 

 clusters, suggests at once tlie ajjpropriateness 

 of Wangenheini's name, Q. sf el lata. It inhabits 

 limestone ridges and sandy ])liins in company 

 with the Black Jack. Red, Wliite and other 

 Oaks, the Sassafras, Gums, Flowering Dogwood, 

 Red Cedar, etc. 



Its heavy, hard and durable wood is valued 

 in the manufacture of agricultural implements, 

 casks, etc., and to some extent for furniture. 

 It is also used extensively for railway ties, 

 fence posts, etc.. and makes excellent fuel. 

 A cubic foot when absolutely dry weighs 52.14 



Leaves broad-obovate. 4-8 in. Inne;. cuneate or 

 lounded at base, deeply lyrate-pinnatifld with 

 rsuall.v 5 (sometimes ."? or 7) wid'» diversent en- 

 ti'-e or undulate rounded lohos. the central pair 

 much the largest and iisuall.v notched, at ma- 

 turity firm shinini dark green with scattered 

 .stellate hairs above, grayish or ye"owish pubes- 

 ppnt beneath : petiolps and midi-il)s puln'scont. 

 Flotrrrs: staminate calyx ypllow with ."> laciniatoly 

 cut lobes ; stigmas short, dilated. Fruit maturing 

 tbe first year, sessile or nearly so ; acorn ovoid- 

 oblong. 1/2 -1 in. long, about half inclosed by the 

 {lemispheric cup. 



1. Syn. Q. obtusiloha Michx. Q. stvUata Wang. 



2. A. W.. IV, 92. 



