Thank you, Lord, for this old white oak, which very likely started growing somewhere around 1856.
By multiplying the diameter of the trunk (circumference measured at 4.5' above ground divided by 3.14) by a white oak's growth factor (5), I learned that the beautiful white oak standing out front is approximately 162 years old! Its distinctive thick, gnarly branches (so different than the thinner, more wispy branches of the nearby red oaks) reach strong and determined toward today's blue sky. We built our home 18 years ago. What stories these strong, knowing branches could tell us about life here on this hill before our arrival. Mike pointed out that this tree began growing prior to the Civil War!
I'm tagging this image for the 52-Week Challenge, which is Leading Lines (use lines to lead the viewer to your subject).
What a great perspective on this fine oak. My favourite tree after the olive tree. I have wondered before now, what tales trees would have to tell and the conversations that have gone on under their branches.
