Post Oak is a fairly common large tree that is typical of drier habitats.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

Similar to White Oak (Quercus alba) but with thicker, cross-shaped leaves, stellate hairs on the undersides of the leaves (visible with a hand lens), and less flaky bark. In the Coastal Plain, compare with the Sand Post Oak (Quercus margaretta), which is smaller in stature and has less cross-shaped leaves.

Dare Co., NC 11/7/08.

Dare Co., NC 11/7/08.

Close-up showing stellate hairs on a leaf underside.

Dare Co., NC 11/7/08.

Mature acorns.

Dare Co., NC 11/7/08.

Mecklenburg Co., NC 10/18/02.

Acorns.

Mecklenburg Co., NC 10/18/02.

The bark is vertically ridged and relatively tight, not flaky.

Durham, NC 5/24/2009.

This leafing-out large tree is likely a hybrid, as the leaves are not typical for Post Oak. Hybrids with White Oak are not unusual.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.