Post Oak 30-May-09 Hike

After leaving the Ash trees blowing in the wind I came upon my Post oak trees that I found a couple of years ago. I don't see many Post oaks and it is fun to see them.

The leaf makes a destinctive cross that is easily reconized. Post oak is in the white oak group. Not seeing many around here makes it better when I find one.

The 2 Post oaks at ground level. I later realized that a third tree next to these 2 was also a Post oak. It had darker bark and for that reason I ignored it.

This photo above shows a good view of the distintive cross the lobes make.

When I see these leaves I think of the cross that Jesus died on. It was probably made out of rough cut wood like a railroad tie. Jesus was nailed to this cross, not with the nails we use today but more like railroad spikes. He was laid down on the cross and held there while the spikes were dirven into his hands/arms and feet. Then the cross was hoisted upward and set into something that held it verticly.

Driving the stakes into His hands and feet was very painful and standing the cross upright caused a jolt that must of sent pain through all of Jesus body. Jesus didn't have to do this! He could have stayed in heaven and enjoyed life there. Jesus gave up that life, and chose a life with us that was hard and ended in tragady. Jesus went through that for us.

He wanted to give us a way out of our life of sin.

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The wage of sin is death. Eternal death in hell. Jesus wanted to keep us from going there and paid the ultimate price for us. Don't ignore this gift but accept it with joy. Jesus is waiting for you to come to Him. There is pleasure in sin but its end is bitter. Turn to Jesus and you will have life.

John 1:12
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name."

Revisit of Double Post Oak

I found the double Post oak from last year. As usual the photo in the summer is hard to do the tree justice.



Below is the photo I took in late 2007.




Psalm 119:89
"Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven."

Post Oak Along Forest Edge

Hiking along this forest edge I encountered some Post oak.




Psalm 119:31
"I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord,
do mot put me to shame!"

Post Oak Sapling Revisited

This contrast between fall and winter in the leaf color is similar to the Shingle oak. The above photo was taken 15Feb08 and the bottom photo was taken the 1st half of November 2007.




John 37:37,38 "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water."

Post Oak

Here is the second Post oak I have found. They are the 2 trees growing right together. This tree is in the same area as the other Post oak I found. As I look through these woods I will probably find more.

This tree is found in the transition from forest to prairie.

Colosians 1:13 "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son."

Cross Timbers

Researching Post oak I came across this site called The Ancient Cross Timbers. The area is dominated by Post oak and upland forest savanna. Cross Timbers area runs from Southeastern Kansas to Central Texas.

Oklahoma Travel Net has a travel log showing what the area looks like for perspective vacationers.
The area is not suitable for normal farm crops. The low economic value has more likely allowed the area to be left for preservation today.

Here is a good site on Cross Timbers ecoregion .

Post Oak / Quercus stellata

It's not often that I come across a Post oak. They are listed to be native where I live but I have not seen any for a long time. Yesterday I came across this one. It is a small tree with blocky bark. The leaves are unique in that the lobes form a distinctive cross.


The bark is listed as ashy gray and later in its life becoming blocky. This tree is on a hill which probably does not have good soil and therefore may be shallow before bedrock. My guess this tree is quite old thought it is less then 10" dia. You can see the scale by the leaf near the bowl of the tree.

End buds grouped at the end of the twig is typical for oaks.





Trees of Missouri lists the hairs on the under surface of the leaves as star shaped. I want to return to see those with a hand lens.

The tree is drought resistant and is also slow growing. But it will live up to 300 years or more. It may live where clay is below the surface of the soil about 20" which creates soggy soil in the spring and dry soil in the summer.

The wood is used for railroad ties, fence posts, general construction, firewood, and furniture.