Is this post oak?

This is post oak that a customer was recently asking about.

Based on the image, the wood does appear to have characteristics consistent with post oak:

• Bark texture: Thick, rough, and blocky with a rugged appearance, typical of post oak.

• Color: The outer bark is grayish with deeper fissures, while the heartwood is light to medium brown — which matches post oak’s appearance.

• Grain: The visible grain pattern is coarse and straight, another match for post oak.

However, visual identification alone isn’t always 100% reliable. Post oak (a type of white oak) is very dense and heavy, burns hot, and has a mild smoke flavor — which makes it popular for BBQ.

To be more certain, you can also check:

• Weight: Post oak is heavy for its size.

• Smell: When freshly split or burned, it gives off a mild, pleasant aroma (not overly sweet or acrid).

• Burn quality: Burns slowly and evenly with good coals.