Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Poor Oak Trees


Poor Oak Trees

I’m feeling kind of sad about my oak tree. It has been gracing our house at the curb for almost forty years, supplying acorns for the squirrels, a fine nesting place for the birds, shade on hot summer days, and lovely, graceful leaves for atmosphere. This summer it is having troubles. Some of its branches are bare and on those that still have greenery, the leaves are not as abundant as they had been in the past. I wonder if the poor tree will last through the winter.

We go for walks every night after dinner when the heat of the day starts to mellow and we are noticing that many oak trees in our development are showing the same kinds of symptoms. There are woodpeckers in the area and sapsuckers are known to “bleed” a tree to get the sap, which harms the tree. Is there an oak tree disease ravaging these beauties? But then, their environment may be the problem. They were planted in a confined space. Their roots are reaching out desperately for somewhere to grow, raising concrete slabs, sending roots out along the curbside seeking nourishment. Or is it Oak Wilt? Photos from various botanical gardens seem to suggest that it is. My heart aches for the trees I see with receding growth as I learned that it is usually fatal.

There is a time for everything to flourish, I guess, and then to draw away. It’s hard to accept that sometimes that withdrawal is hastened; the oaks should last longer than this. Nature is a continuum of growth and loss. We can delay the process now and then but there is a time for it all. Perhaps our appreciation of what we have is the best way to understand the cycle – and to live life fully.

About Oak Wilt:

Beautiful oak trees in their prime:
https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0LEVyNeoMtVZZ4AuKtXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyczg3amEwBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjAwMjdfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=Beautiful+Oak+Trees&fr=chrf-yff34

5 comments:

  1. Ferida, How nice to read your blog again, even if it is a sad topic. Yes, the poor trees.

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    1. Thank you for the nice comment, Anonymous. I appreciate my readers.

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  2. It is sad and reminds me of how we felt when our mimosa tree (and most other Mimosa trees on Long Island) feel vicitm to a Mimosa blight. It was so sad to see them go.

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    1. Many trees, not only the oaks, seem to be in trouble lately. Each time I open the front door I am reminded of the many years of pleasure my oak has given me. Too bad I can't help it now.

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  3. Every tree has it's day. Sorry to hear, Ferida.

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