Quercus stellata ( Post Oak )

Deciduous tree found wild throughout the southern U.S. Average growth reaches 40 to 50 feet tall, with a dense, rounded crown, spreading branches. Fall color can be a pretty golden brown, sometimes just brown. Acorns are 1 inch, in pairs or singles. Typical habitat is gravelly, sandy, dry soils. Reaches large size on the silty loam of the Mississippi valley. Native from Massachusetts to Florida, over to Iowa and Texas.


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Characteristics

Cultivar: n/a  
Family: Fagaceae  
Size: Height: 30 ft. to 50 ft.
Width: 20 ft. to 40 ft.  
Plant Category: trees,  
Plant Characteristics: low maintenance,  
Foliage Characteristics: deciduous,  
Flower Characteristics:  
Flower Color:  
Tolerances: deer, heat & humidity, rabbits,  


Requirements


Bloomtime Range: Early Spring to Mid Spring  
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9  
AHS Heat Zone: Not defined for this plant  
Light Range: Sun to Full Sun  
pH Range: 5 to 7.5  
Soil Range: Mostly Sand to Clay Loam  
Water Range: Dry to Moist  





Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

Conditions : Full Sun

Full Sun is defined as exposure to more than 6 hours of continuous, direct sun per day.

Watering

Conditions : Regular Moisture for Outdoor Plants

Water when normal rainfall does not provide the preferred 1 inch of moisture most plants prefer. Average water is needed during the growing season, but take care not to overwater. The first two years after a plant is installed, regular watering is important. The first year is critical. It is better to water once a week and water deeply, than to water frequently for a few minutes.

Planting

How-to : Planting a Tree

Dig out an area for the tree that is about 3 or 4 times the diameter of the container or rootball and the same depth as the container or rootball. Use a pitchfork or shovel to scarify the sides of the hole.

If container-grown, lay the tree on its side and remove the container. Loosen the roots around the edges without breaking up the root ball too much. Position tree in center of hole so that the best side faces forward. You are ready to begin filling in with soil.

If planting a balled and burlaped tree, position it in hole so that the best side faces forward. Untie or remove nails from burlap at top of ball and pull burlap back, so it does not stick out of hole when soil is replaced. Synthetic burlap should be removed as it will not decompose like natural burlap. Larger trees often come in wire baskets. Plant as you would a b&b plant, but cut as much of the wire away as possible without actually removing the basket. Chances are, you would do more damage to the rootball by removing the basket. Simply cut away wires to leave several large openings for roots.

Fill both holes with soil the same way. Never amend with less than half original soil. Recent studies show that if your soil is loose enough, you are better off adding little or no soil amendments.

Create a water ring around the outer edge of the hole. Not only will this conseve water, but will direct moisture to perimeter roots, encouraging outer growth. Once tree is established, water ring may be leveled. Studies show that mulched trees grow faster than those unmulched, so add a 3"" layer of pinestraw, compost, or pulverized bark over backfilled area. Remove any damaged limbs.

Problems

Miscellaneous

Glossary : Deciduous

Deciduous refers to those plants that lose their leaves or needles at the end of the growing season.

Glossary : Tree

Tree: a woody perennial with a crown of branches that begin atop a single stem or trunk. The exception to this rule is multi-trunk trees, which some may argue are really very large shrubs.

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