This is an oak tree. It lives about an hour from my house here in southeast Texas.
Please look at the tree. You may click the picture to see a larger image.
Notice its massive trunk. This tree is estimated to be over 1,000 years old. The trunk is estimated to be 35' in circumference. That means if it were (God forbid) pushed over, the trunk by itself and at its narrowest point would be more than two stories tall. The trunk does not grow very tall before it starts to branch out, patiently supporting the branches, which in turn provide sustenance for the trunk.
Now, please notice the branches. Some of these branches are bigger than most trees. The lower branches move out almost parallel to the ground, their massive weight belying the graceful arc they trace in the air. These branches look like they might move under strain. Believe me, except for under hurricane force winds - which this tree has experience many of, the branches do not move. Another tree closer to where I live had a pulley attached to it which was used to pull engines from automobiles. That tree, which I've swung on a rope swing on, is only about 1/2 the size of this. Oak wood has been renowned for a long time for its strength and integrity. It is also quite beautiful when worked. The branches of this tree would provide as high a quality of wood as would the trunk. Also, due to the weight of the branches, the forks of these branches would provide some amazing figure - called fiddle back and/or flame. This is formed in the wood as the branches weigh down on the trunk below, causing distortion in the wood itself.
Please notice that the branch to the right requires additional support. This is most likely for aesthetic reasons, and to keep people from damaging the low-hanging branch, and not necessarily for the health of the tree. I've seen live oak trees with branches growing wild and hanging low to the ground. The posts holding that branch up are probably 6' or 8' high. Just to give you an idea of the scale.
The purpose of the branches, of course, is to provide sustenance for the tree. The tree, in turn, exists to create fruit - acorns - to propagate the species. This tree has produced acorns for a thousand years. These acorns are eaten by local animals, which in turn are eaten by other animals. All of these animals produce fertilizer for the local plants, which feeds the plants and begins the cycle anew. The branches also pull carbon dioxide and nitrogen out of the air, trapping it in the sugars used by the tree itself.
One of the unique aspects of the live oak is that they do not lose their leaves - at least, there's never a time when they are devoid of leaves. Other oaks will drop their leaves in the winter. But live oaks keep their leaves all winter long. They are more accurately called evergreen oaks.
The part you don't see, and this is the part that is truly impressive to me, is the root system. The roots of the tree are at least as extensive as the portion we see above ground. Pushing deep for water and nutrients, the roots also anchor the tree, enabling it to weather the storms that come in this coastal area.
This oak is a gnarled, ancient tree that has lived for a thousand years. Yet, one day, this tree, too, will die. It may be a fire, it may be global climate change induced sea level rise. More likely it will be a hurricane that will eventually topple this mighty tree. It would take sustained winds of a category 5+ storm that would be able to knock this thing over.
Interesting to think that air - something we can't even see and usually feel as gentle, warm breezes here off the Gulf - could cause the death of something so mighty.
Grandpa is like the oak tree.
I'm more of a maple, myself... ;-)
Please look at the tree. You may click the picture to see a larger image.
Notice its massive trunk. This tree is estimated to be over 1,000 years old. The trunk is estimated to be 35' in circumference. That means if it were (God forbid) pushed over, the trunk by itself and at its narrowest point would be more than two stories tall. The trunk does not grow very tall before it starts to branch out, patiently supporting the branches, which in turn provide sustenance for the trunk.
Now, please notice the branches. Some of these branches are bigger than most trees. The lower branches move out almost parallel to the ground, their massive weight belying the graceful arc they trace in the air. These branches look like they might move under strain. Believe me, except for under hurricane force winds - which this tree has experience many of, the branches do not move. Another tree closer to where I live had a pulley attached to it which was used to pull engines from automobiles. That tree, which I've swung on a rope swing on, is only about 1/2 the size of this. Oak wood has been renowned for a long time for its strength and integrity. It is also quite beautiful when worked. The branches of this tree would provide as high a quality of wood as would the trunk. Also, due to the weight of the branches, the forks of these branches would provide some amazing figure - called fiddle back and/or flame. This is formed in the wood as the branches weigh down on the trunk below, causing distortion in the wood itself.
Please notice that the branch to the right requires additional support. This is most likely for aesthetic reasons, and to keep people from damaging the low-hanging branch, and not necessarily for the health of the tree. I've seen live oak trees with branches growing wild and hanging low to the ground. The posts holding that branch up are probably 6' or 8' high. Just to give you an idea of the scale.
The purpose of the branches, of course, is to provide sustenance for the tree. The tree, in turn, exists to create fruit - acorns - to propagate the species. This tree has produced acorns for a thousand years. These acorns are eaten by local animals, which in turn are eaten by other animals. All of these animals produce fertilizer for the local plants, which feeds the plants and begins the cycle anew. The branches also pull carbon dioxide and nitrogen out of the air, trapping it in the sugars used by the tree itself.
One of the unique aspects of the live oak is that they do not lose their leaves - at least, there's never a time when they are devoid of leaves. Other oaks will drop their leaves in the winter. But live oaks keep their leaves all winter long. They are more accurately called evergreen oaks.
The part you don't see, and this is the part that is truly impressive to me, is the root system. The roots of the tree are at least as extensive as the portion we see above ground. Pushing deep for water and nutrients, the roots also anchor the tree, enabling it to weather the storms that come in this coastal area.
This oak is a gnarled, ancient tree that has lived for a thousand years. Yet, one day, this tree, too, will die. It may be a fire, it may be global climate change induced sea level rise. More likely it will be a hurricane that will eventually topple this mighty tree. It would take sustained winds of a category 5+ storm that would be able to knock this thing over.
Interesting to think that air - something we can't even see and usually feel as gentle, warm breezes here off the Gulf - could cause the death of something so mighty.
Grandpa is like the oak tree.
I'm more of a maple, myself... ;-)
Comments
I guess when you boil it down you are mighty sweet.