Texas Post Oak

HARD AS THE TEXAS TWO STEP, PRETTY AS A YELLOW ROSE, 

THIS WOOD IS AS TEXAN AS WILLIE NELSON

TEXAS POST OAK 

Also known as Iron Wood 

A small but fierce tree found growing in the Texas Post Oak Savannah, a staple of the Texan landscape. This wood is hard,  hard as a Texas Ranger faced with lawlessness, or possibly batting against Nolan Ryan in 1981. 

Character

It's really hard, like, really really hard. Which makes it perfect for applications requiring a high level of durability. It has tons of knots, like TONS.  Most of the time, tons of knots means rustic, and Texas Post Oak is certainly that, but this species also mixes well in very contemporary designs. Designers have been known to paint every wall white in a space and let Post Oak be a warming agent for an otherwise sterile environment.

Color

Texas Post Oak has a great tonal width, with a wide range of light to dark colors. Each board boasts tones of gray, cream, brown, and with the knots, black. 

Usage


Texas post oak (Quercus stellata), also known simply as post oak, is a hardwood tree native to the southern United States, particularly Texas. It is a valuable timber species, and its wood is utilized in various applications. Here are some of the most common uses for Texas post oak:

  1. Furniture:

    • Post oak is used in furniture construction, especially for rustic and country-style pieces. Its natural grain and durability make it suitable for crafting tables, chairs, and other furniture items.
  2. Cabinetry:

    • The wood from post oak is employed in the production of cabinets, providing a sturdy and reliable material for kitchen and bathroom cabinetry.
  3. Flooring:

    • Post oak hardwood flooring is popular for its durability and distinctive grain pattern. It is a preferred choice in residential and commercial spaces.
  4. Construction:

    • Framing and Beams: Post oak lumber is used in construction for framing and structural beams, providing strength and stability to buildings.
    • Outdoor Structures: It is commonly used in the construction of outdoor structures such as decks, pergolas, and fences due to its natural resistance to decay.
  5. Barbecue and Smoking Wood:

    • Post oak is highly sought after for its use as a smoking wood in barbecue and grilling. It imparts a mild, sweet flavor to the meat and is a favorite in Texas barbecue traditions.
  6. Tool Handles:

    • The wood's strength and durability make it suitable for crafting tool handles, providing a reliable material for tools like hammers and axes.
  7. Pallets and Crates:

    • Post oak lumber is sometimes used in the production of pallets and crates due to its strength and resilience, ensuring the safe transportation of goods.
  8. Interior Trim and Molding:

    • The wood is employed in the creation of interior trim, molding, and other decorative elements, adding a touch of natural beauty to homes.
  9. Railroad Ties:

    • Post oak is occasionally used for railroad ties due to its durability and resistance to decay.
  10. Woodturning:

    • Post oak is suitable for woodturning projects, including the creation of bowls, vases, and other turned items.
  11. Boat Building:

    • While not as common as some other hardwoods, post oak has been historically used in boat building, particularly for small boats and canoes.
  12. Utility Poles:

    • The wood's strength and resistance to decay make it suitable for utility poles used in power and telecommunications infrastructure.
  13. Landscaping:

    • Post oak lumber may be used in landscaping projects, such as for creating outdoor furniture, garden beds, or decorative elements.

It's worth noting that while Texas post oak has various applications, its use can depend on factors such as local availability, cost, and the specific characteristics of the wood in a particular region. Additionally, its popularity in barbecue and grilling culture has contributed to its recognition and demand for smoking wood

Fun Facts about Post Oak

  • There are over five settlements in Texas named Post Oak. 
  • Post Oak has a very thick bark, making it resistant to fire. 
  • Post Oaks have been used to tell the fire history of an area by examining their growth rings.
  • We acquired one of the largest Post Oak trees in the state of Texas . We''ll turn it into Post Oak flooring, live edge slabs, and Post Oak lumber. 
  • Post oak log

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We typically offer Texas Post Oak in the following sizes and grades:

Scientific Sub-species Grade Features 4/4 5/4 6/4 8/4 12/4 Plywood Circle Sawn Live Edge Beam
Quercus stellata Texas Post Oak Very Knotty Very hard with tons of knots.

Scientific information about Texas Post Oak:

Common Name(s): Texas Post Oak, Iron Wood
Scientific Name: Quercus stellata
Distribution: Eastern United States and Texas
Tree Size: Tree Size: 40'-60' ft in height, 1'-3' in diameter
Average Dried Weight: 3.91 lbs bdft
Janka Hardness: 1,350 lbf

Check out some species other than Texas Post Oak

Contact us Have questions about our products?

Give us a call or shoot us an email, we can help you find the right kind of wood to make your project look fantastic! From kiln dried lumber to flooring, molding to butcher butcher block counter tops, we've got you covered.

WOOD IS UNIVERSALLY BEAUTIFUL TO MAN. IT IS THE MOST HUMANLY INTIMATE OF ALL MATERIALS FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT, AMERICAN ARCHITECT