treeN. America Native

Post Oak

Name: Post Oak
Brand: Quercus
Availability: InStock

Quercus stellata

$89.95

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

600 inches

Width

600 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low to medium

Humidity

Adaptable

Lifespan

150-400 years

Native To

Eastern and Central United States

Toxicity

Acorns are toxic to horses and cattle if ingested in quantity.

The Story

Plant Bio

Quercus stellata is a slow-growing, long-lived deciduous tree with a rugged, picturesque habit and a broad, rounded crown. Its distinctive cross-shaped leaves and tough nature make it a stalwart of dry, rocky woodlands and prairies. The Post Oak is exceptionally drought-tolerant and adaptable to poor soils, making it a key species in challenging environments. Its dense, durable wood was historically used for fence posts, giving the tree its common name.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

The Post Oak offers a unique, gnarled, and picturesque silhouette that brings a sense of age and stability to the landscape. Its rugged bark and distinctive foliage provide year-round character, especially in naturalistic or low-water gardens.

Its extreme tolerance for drought, heat, and poor soils makes it an excellent, low-maintenance shade tree for challenging sites where other trees might fail. The dense wood is highly resistant to rot.

As a keystone species, it supports a vast array of wildlife. It is a host plant for numerous butterfly and moth caterpillars, and its acorns are a vital food source for deer, turkeys, squirrels, and other animals.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Garden Goods Direct

In Stock$89.95

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun with excellent drainage.
Dig a wide, shallow hole, no deeper than the root ball.
Gently place the tree in the hole, ensuring it is straight.
Backfill with native soil, avoiding amendments that can trap water.
Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
Provide supplemental water only during extreme drought for the first year.

Pro Tip

Due to a deep taproot, plant post oaks young and in their permanent location, as they transplant very poorly.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide full sun for best growth and form.
Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Protect the area around the tree from soil compaction.
Appreciate its slow growth rate and rugged character.

Don't

Do not overwater; this is a primary cause of failure.
Avoid trying to transplant established trees.
Do not fertilize; it is adapted to poor soils.
Avoid major pruning, which can ruin its natural form.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rugged specimen for naturalistic landscapesDurable shade tree for dry, tough sitesKey component of prairie or savanna restorations

Companion Plants

Schizachyrium scoparium Echinacea purpurea Cercis canadensis Juniperus virginiana Rhus aromatica

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Post Oak questions

What zones can Post Oak grow in?

Post Oak is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Post Oak deer resistant?

Yes — Post Oak is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Post Oak bloom?

Post Oak typically blooms in mid-spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Post Oak need full sun?

Post Oak does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Post Oak drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Post Oak handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.