Post oak is a medium tree with cross-shaped leaves (broad middle lobes) and thick, blocky bark. It grows slowly and is highly tolerant of dry, poor, or rocky soils.
Habitat and range
In Maryland, post oak grows on dry ridges, sandy or rocky soils, and in open woodlands, mainly on the coastal plain and in the piedmont. It is often associated with blackjack oak in xeric sites.
Uses and significance
The wood is very durable in contact with soil and was used for fence posts and railroad ties. Acorns feed wildlife. Post oak is an important tree of dry, fire-adapted ecosystems and barrens.