 Post Oak (Quercus stellata)
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Common Name(s): Post Oak
Scientific Name: Quercus stellata Distribution: Eastern United States Tree Size: 40-60 ft (12-18 m) tall, 1-3 ft (.3-1 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 47 lbs/ft3 (750 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .60, .75 Janka Hardness: 1,350 lbf (5,990 N) Modulus of Rupture: 13,070 lbf/in2 (90.1 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 1,495,000 lbf/in2 (10.31 GPa) Crushing Strength: 6,530 lbf/in2 (45.1 MPa) Shrinkage:Radial: 5.4%, Tangential: 9.8%, Volumetric: 16.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.8 |
Color/Appearance: Has a light to medium brown color, though there can be a fair amount of variation in color. Conversely, Red Oak tends to be slightly redder, but is by no means a reliable method of determining the type of Oak.
Grain/Texture: Has medium-to-large pores and a fairly coarse grain.
Rot Resistance: Post Oak has been rated as having very good resistance to decay. It is said that this wood has been used for fence posts, and may be where it got its name.
Workability: Easy to glue, and takes stain and finishes very well.
Odor: Has a tell-tale smell that is common to most oaks. Most find it appealing.
Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, oak has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation, as well as asthma-like symptoms. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Pricing/Availability: Slightly more expensive than Red Oak, White Oak is in good/sustainable supply and is moderately priced. Thicker 8/4 planks, or quartersawn boards are slightly more expensive per board foot.
Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Common Uses: Fence posts, cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, flooring, boatbuilding, barrels, and veneer.
Comments: Post Oak falls into the white oak group, and shares many of the same traits as White Oak (Quercus alba). White Oak, along with its brother Red Oak, are commonly used domestic lumber species. Hard, durable, and moderately priced, White Oak presents an exceptional value to woodworkers—which explains why it is so widely used in cabinet and furniture making.
- Black Oak (Quercus velutina)
- Bog Oak
- Brown Oak
- Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
- California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii)
- Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)
- Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus)
- English Oak (Quercus robur)
- Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)
- Japanese Oak (Quercus mongolica)
- Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia)
- Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
- Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana)
- Overcup Oak (Quercus lyrata)
- Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
- Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
- Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)
- Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea)
- Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii)
- Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)
- Swamp Chestnut Oak (Quercus michauxii)
- Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)
- Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris)
- Water Oak (Quercus nigra)
- White Oak (Quercus alba)
- Willow Oak (Quercus phellos)
Post Oak (sanded) |
 Post Oak (sealed) |
 Post Oak (endgrain) |
 Post Oak (endgrain 10x) |
I can say one thing for post oaks never use them as fire wood. All they do is smoke. My neighbor had two of these trees in his yard. He cut them down and then he decided to burn the 3’ stump. Well fast forward 15 years and yeah he was finally able to burn them completely down to the ground. He put everything from gasoline to diesel to burn these stumps and all that caught fire was the gas and diesel the stumps just smoked and burned a little bit at the time.
I’m trying to identify this tree. I’m quartering it with an Alaskan saw mill. Based on the rays, I’m guessing it is a Post Oak. Is this correct?