The Majesty of the Bur Oak
By Rachel Carter, Naturalist
For me, Winter seems to be divided into three parts. When Winter’s arrival is new and fresh, when people are abuzz with the various December holidays and activities, when we gather around a fireplace or watch candles flicker and dance on the walls…well, that seems quite lovely to me. But then comes Winter’s next phase: January. Things become still and quiet. The hustle and bustle of December is often exhausting so this month is at first a lovely reprieve and, even though I’m chilled to the bone by now, I slow down, bundle up, and settle in for a mini hibernation…the proverbial long winter’s nap. However, the third phase arrives quickly. These Tennessee days are often cold and grey. I feel sluggish and blue. I become restless and anxious for my friend, Spring, whose arrival seems so far away. So how do I cope? I search for awe in nature! Beauty is easy to find. It’s Nature’s generous gift.
Recently, a park patron asked me which tree I think is the most majestic. That’s a tough question because many trees flooded my mind. After a reflective pause, I answered, “On this cold winter’s day, the most majestic tree to me is the Bur Oak.” Typically, oaks hold onto their leaves almost all winter, a beautiful phenomena referred to as ‘marcescence’ – but the Bur Oak seems to scoff at its family members’ shyness. It releases its leaves right away to reveal one my favorite things about winter: Those incredible branches! I love the wicked beauty of them. The massive trunk covered in its deep, furrowed bark gives way to thick branches that grow with abrupt turns this way and that, heavily adorned with twigs ending in points reminiscent of thorns. It causes me to think of fairy tales. Imagine scenes of fantastical trees with twigs reaching out like gnarled hands to claw, grab, and catch. Remember Snow White fleeing through the Haunted Woods or the old illustrations of Hansel and Gretel trying to find their path home? But then remember the peaceful beauty and comfort the forest revealed once the sun rose the following morning. This majesty is what awes me!
Let’s think about those branches and twigs. The bristly-fringed acorns that gives the tree its name are huge and heavy. Therefore, the limb needed to support such a weight must be spectacularly strong. The weight of the acorn strengthens the limb; the limb is strong for the acorn. In the summer those unique branches are almost completely hidden. But in the winter, we get to see this tree in all its architectural glory.
The Burr/Bur Oak - Quercus macrocarpa – also called the mossy-cup oak if you prefer a more whimsical name - is a pillar of ecological stability. They can grow 100 feet tall and live for up to 1,000 years. By now, I hope we all understand the importance of NATIVE plants and the crucial role they play. A quick review: local species, both flora and fauna, have evolved together since the beginning of their existence. Native plants have adapted to local pests and diseases, which means they don’t need human “help” for their defense like pesticides, etc. and certain insects can feed only on certain plants. The oak sprouts new leaves in the spring, the caterpillars start munching on them, the migrating birds begin flying through and are nourished for their long journeys by munching on the aforementioned caterpillars, the resident birds have safe nesting places, and autumn’s acorns feed a plethora of mammals. The tree’s large leaves soak up lots of carbon dioxide, its massive root system required to hold up this giant stabilizes our soil and allows the earth to quickly soak up water during floods. It’s a beautiful partnership all the way around.
So, this winter if you want to feel awed and inspired, simply look up and observe the winter trees’ branches. Notice and admire their bare, outstretched arms. This canopy of fanciful lacework is visible for only a couple of months. And if you happen to spot the Bur Oak, see if you think it harkens back to storybook tales. Bundle up, step outside, and discover the majesty of nature!
