Live Oak

[firecracker_77]

I have never seen one of these in person, but I would like to see one of these Southern Beauties someday. Very old, very large, very impressive.

http://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/trees/liveoak/

 

[Plow Boy]

so they call it a live oak because it is a evergreen?

 

[firecracker_77]

I don't know why. It's a big tree though. Look at the massive base. Don't even know what saw would cut through that. That would be an expensive tree job.

 

[Wood Duck]

They call it a Live Oak because it is evergreen. In addition to the southern Live Oak, there are a couple of similar trees in California. Supposedly the shape of a Live Oak, low and wide, helps them survive hurricanes. The wind blows up over the rounded tree rather than knocking the tree over. Live Oaks definitely surivive hurricanes better than most trees.

 

[Augie]

Not as Massive but old for sure. Old trees. They are majestic in their own way.

The Bruce Peninsula is a key area for both plant and animal wildlife. Part of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve, the peninsula has the largest remaining area of forest and natural habitat in Southern Ontario[1] and is home to some of the oldest trees in eastern North America.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

The live oaks I've seen were all such that I would not be too happy cutting them. Crooked and tons of limbs.

 

[oldogy]

This trophy Live Oak was on my Florida property. The right side grew so close to the ground that I could no longer bush hog under it.

 

[firecracker_77]

This trophy Live Oak was on my Florida property. The right side grew so close to the ground that I could no longer bush hog under it.

that's quite the crown spread on that one. nice!

 

[albert1029]

we used to climb these in City Park in New Orleans, easy because the branches came so close to the ground...in Audubon Park there are plaques on a the ones over 200 yrs old...supposedly City Park has the largest number of them in one place...

 

[ohlongarm]

I have never seen one of these in person, but I would like to see one of these Southern Beauties someday. Very old, very large, very impressive.

http://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/trees/liveoak/

Go online and check out Oak Alley plantation in Louisiana we visited there these live oaks are 400 years old,impressive.

 

[ScotO]

I love old trees. Nothing mimics the character of age. Great pics fellas.

 

[clemsonfor]

Being from the SC "Lowcountry" i have seen my fare share of them and climbed them as a child as well. They make good dense firewood, heck to split, and yes they are evergreen. They do tend to "thin" in the crown in winter but still definitly have leaves and are green still.

Every old plantation has plenty around here, the ones that you go on a tour at. They grow wild in the woods but rarely to this degree before we MOW them down, there a weed!! (this is the forester in me coming out)


Here is "angel Oak" located on Johns Island SC.
(broken link removed to http://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/charleston-county/angel-oak.html)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angel_Oak_Tree_in_SC.jpg

From Wikipedia...

"
The Angel Oak is a Southern live oak tree located in Angel Oak Park, in Charleston, South Carolina, on Johns Island, one of South Carolina's Sea Islands. It is estimated to be 300-400 years old, stands 65 ft (20 m) tall, measures 28 ft (8.5 m) in circumference, and shades with its crown an area of 17,000 square feet (1,600 m2).[1] Its widest crown spread point-to-point is 180 feet (55 m), which is larger than any other live oak in the country.[citation needed] Its longest limb is 105 feet (32 m) in length.
The Angel Oak is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms east of the Mississippi River.[2] The tree has become a significant tourist attraction.[3][4] The oak derives its name from the Angel estate, although local folklore told stories of ghosts of former slaves would appear as angels around the tree.[5][6]"

 

[mudbug250]

I have at least 5 HUGE live oaks on my property. There was 6, but it was too close for comfort to where I was building my house, so my builder took it out for me. No I did not get any of that wood. I was just too busy with building the house to devote any time to firewood. I had to get to others trimmed at the bottom because the limbs were hanging right on the ground. We also have a couple of old growth pine trees around the family land that are just as wide at the bottom as the live oaks.

 

[Adabiviak]

The live oaks I've seen were all such that I would not be too happy cutting them. Crooked and tons of limbs.

Those eastern live oaks are humongous... the local types here in California (Canyon or Coastal) don't get as big as those. They're very BTU-dense though, and it's largely what I burn. Some of my stacks are very unstable for that reason.

 

[woodchip]

Impressive trees.

There are some in SW England, although I've never seen them.

I think they were bought over some years ago as additions to arboretums, one nursery down in Cornwall still sells little ones for £22 in a pot!

 

[clemsonfor]

Those eastern live oaks are humongous... the local types here in California (Canyon or Coastal) don't get as big as those. They're very BTU-dense though, and it's largely what I burn. Some of my stacks are very unstable for that reason.

keep in mind those trees were posting are 300+ years old. A live oak that is 50 years old will look nothing like that!

 

[firecracker_77]

keep in mind those trees were posting are 300+ years old. A live oak that is 50 years old will look nothing like that!

I agree. It would take a long time to put on that much weight.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I agree. It would take a long time to put on that much weight.

Don't know. I can put weight on pretty fast....

 

[firecracker_77]

Don't know. I can put weight on pretty fast....

My belly will be fast growing tomorrow with all the turkey. I love Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for good food and family.