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
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Ferida, How nice to read your blog again, even if it is a sad topic. Yes, the poor trees.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nice comment, Anonymous. I appreciate my readers.
DeleteIt 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.
ReplyDeleteMany 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.
DeleteEvery tree has it's day. Sorry to hear, Ferida.
ReplyDelete