The Enchanting History of Oak Trees: Quercus Sp.
Heroditus, regarded as the father of ancient history, detailed in the mid-400's B.C. that oak trees were reputed to possess the gift of prophecy within their boughs. The presence of oak tree galls in oak trees is a result of insect larvae tunneling inside the twigs. Consequently, the oak tree branches become infested with numerous little galls that resemble brown or tan balls, as the oak tree cells grow to encompass the insects inside. In some cultures, these are referred to as 'Oak Apples,' and they are commercially exploited for tannins, ink, and a wide variety of medicinal remedies. The use of oak wood has been well-documented since ancient times due to its hard and durable nature.
Exploring the history of oak trees is no easy feat, primarily because there are so many species worldwide, each possessing unique stories of their own in the historical development of tree lines. These species have evolved in varying climates across different nations. William Bartram, in his 1773 book, 'Travels,' recounted how he slept under the “protecting shade of the hospitable live oak, and reclined my head,” and at Fort Frederica, Ga. “under the whole spreading boughs that opened a spacious avenue leading to the former seat of General Oglethorpe.” One particular live oak tree, named the Wesley Oak after the founders of the Methodist Church, John and Charles Wesley, was used to carve a rugged, wooden cross that is still employed at the altar of Christ's Episcopal Church on St. Simon's Island, Georgia, also the island site of Fort Frederica, Georgia.
In the past few centuries, explorers have discovered over six hundred different varieties of Oak Trees all around the globe. Oak trees are highly sought after in the gardening world for myriad reasons. Some gardeners appreciate the old-world charm of sweeping oak tree limbs, adorned with hanging Spanish moss. Others may plant them for their shade, while yet others may associate oak trees with their prominence on the old plantations of the American South. These stately forests of oak trees, neatly trimmed and teeming with wildlife, thrive by feasting on acorns.
Oak Tree Classifications
Several classifications of oak trees have been established, including Deciduous and Evergreen varieties. Deciduous varieties include:
- Pin Oak Tree, Quercus palustris
- Sawtooth Oak Tree, Quercus acutissima
- Willow Oak Tree, Quercus phellos
- White Oak Tree, Quercus alba
- Water Oak Tree, Quercus nigra
- Turkey Oak Tree, Quercus laevis
- Swamp Chestnut Oak Tree, Quercus michauxii
- Shummard Oak Tree, Quercus shummardii
- Red Northern Oak Tree, Quercus rubra
- Red Southern Oak Tree, Quercus falcata
- Post Oak Tree, Quercus stellata
Evergreen Oak varieties consist of:
- Laurel Oak Tree, Quercus laurifolia
- Darlington Laurel Oak Tree, Quercus hemisphaerica
Notably, the two most famous Semi-Evergreen Oak varieties are:
- Live Oak Tree, Quercus virginiana
- Sand Live Oak Tree, Quercus geminata
All these diverse species of oak trees produce acorns that range in size from ½ inch to 1 ¼ inches.
In regions where Oak trees are scarce, planting certain varieties can help attract wildlife. Animals such as squirrels and birds feed on smaller nut varieties, while deer, turkey, and boar fancy larger acorn varieties like the White Oak, Gobbler Oak, and Sawtooth Oak. The White Oak tree, which produces acorns within one year, is an ideal wildlife cultivar due to its accelerated growth rate. Normally found in the woodlands of the Southeastern United States, Live Oak and Pine trees are readily sought out by turkeys during their morning and evening strolls, providing these creatures tantalizing morsels and calling for all their friends to join them in a Thanksgiving feast each fall.
Oak Trees as Shade Trees
When planting Oak trees for shade, it is essential to consider the overall height of the tree. The Black Oak Tree and White Oak Tree can grow as tall as a hundred feet, whereas the Water Oak, Sand Live Oak, and Chinquapin Oak will only reach around fifty feet. The Quercus rubra or Northern Red Oak, one of the fastest-growing oak trees, can attain towering heights of eighty feet in half the time it takes a Sand Live Oak to grow fifty feet, making it a popular choice among new home builders.
Nestled along the Georgia Coast at Sea Island, majestic oak trees envelop the main hotel, where since 1928, celebrated former Presidents and other dignitaries from around the world have planted Live Oak trees to commemorate their stays at Sea Island, Georgia. Former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush even honeymooned there, and Lady Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of Great Britain, planted a Live Oak in 1994. On February 12, 1941, Howard Coffin, the founder of Sea Island, planted a Live Oak tree grown from a seed brought from Surry, England, in tribute to the founder and first Governor of Georgia, General James Oglethorpe, whose residence was in England. Most recently, in 2004, President G.W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair planted Live Oak trees at the inauguration of the G-8 Summit, during which the world's economic leaders convened at Sea Island, Georgia.
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