I'll be laying solid hickory (5") in our main floor next week. Nail and glue assist. I have 2 posts to go around in the middle of the main space and am wondering about how to detail around the posts. Originally, I was going to lay the flooring up flush against the posts without trim, but now am thinking I should leave an expansion gap and then trim it out with quarter-round or shoe molding.

Is flush against the posts a bad idea because of expansion?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HxptaodBQb7UWsmaA

I would avoid to what I term 'net fitting' solid hardwood to a fixed object. In smaller areas semi okay. Glue and nail assist will not guarantee movement in a 5" solid hardwood. Shoe molding will look fine. I dislike 3/4 inch quarter round as a personal pet peeve.

Great, thanks very much for the quick response. And I agree with you on the quarter round!

You could also undercut the post a tad and back bevel the end of the plank so just a tad is going under the post.