Species Plate · Foundation Canopy
Post Oak
Restoration Role
Foundation canopy tree. Post Oak is one of the defining trees of the historic oak savannas of Central Texas. It exists at Short’s Resort to establish the long-term character of the upland oak prairie.
Site Suitability
PrimaryWestern Headwaters Savanna
SecondaryDrainage Savanna Edge, Filter Band, higher Shelterbelt pockets
AvoidWet drainage core, floodplain basin, low riparian soils
SoilsSeC, SuB, RuB
HydrologyDry to seasonally moist, well-drained, no standing water
Propagation & Care
Seed collectionCollect acorns September–November. Use fresh, heavy acorns with no insect holes. Float test and keep most sinkers.
StratificationNone. Post oak is a white oak: the acorns have no dormancy and germinate in fall. Sow them fresh. If they have to wait a few weeks, keep them cool in slightly damp coir and never let them dry — that is storage, not stratification.
PropagationPlant acorn 1 inch deep directly into a D40 Deepot. Keep moist, not saturated. Germination usually occurs in 2–8 weeks.
Container progressionAcorn → D40 Deepot → Field planting. Optional: D60 Deepot if holding longer than one season.
Nursery wateringKeep evenly moist during germination. After sprouting, allow surface to partially dry between waterings.
LightBright light after germination. 14–16 hours under grow lights. Harden into full sun.
OutplantingBest age 6–18 months. Plant November–February.
Establishment Watering
- Year 1: 5–10 gallons every 10–14 days during drought.
- Year 2: 10 gallons every 2–4 weeks if dry.
- Year 3: drought emergency only.
Field notesMost growth happens below ground. Do not judge success by height. Taproot development is the priority.
Quick Reference
Difficulty2 / 5
Growth rateSlow
DroughtExcellent
FloodPoor
WildlifeExcellent
Browse PressureModerate; protect young seedlings
MethodSeed
ContainerD40 Deepot
SourcesPropagation data from the Short’s Resort Native Tree & Shrub Propagation Manual (SR-PROP-01), checked against the NPSOT Native Plants Database and USDA PLANTS in September 2026. Names follow USDA PLANTS; where NPSOT files the plant differently, its name is given under the title. Browse-pressure ratings are the station’s own judgement, checked against the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photographs via Wikimedia Commons under the licenses noted on each image; credit to the individual photographers above.