" P@tH Im@ges "
" The Last Warrior "
This enormous Irish Oak { Quercus Petrea } which only grows in the western and northern areas of England and all over Ireland, as it likes the damp boggy conditions as long as its feet are dry, stands alone in its Autumn colours in a field at Derrybawn Co. Wicklow. This tree was once part of a vast forest that covered this area but which were felled to build "The Fleet" during the days of the great sailing ships in England.
The reason why it survived is because of its odd shape. The trunk is too short for the timber to be of any commercial use so it was spared from the woodsman axe. In England it would have been chopped down to make charcoal.
There is a large branch, 20 feet long lying on the right and its just visible. It would have been a match to the one on the left and would have balanced the tree.When this happens the tree reacts by strengthening and lengthening the root system on the affected side in order to prevent itself from becoming top heavy and falling over.
Ive taken some measurements and the age of it is approaching 900 years of age.It is getting the end of its natural life. I think that is is stunning with its wild tentacled octopus like branches spreading out and tapering gradually to very fine terminal ends which are like small delicate outstretched hands. There are many different oak species through out the World and they are all instantly recognisable because of this unique growth habit. most famous is the English oak { Q.robur } which can grow up to 20ft taller. It also grows here and doesnt have the short stems that attach the leaves to the branches that the Irish oak, has which makes for a more refined appearance.
A translation of Derrybawn where this tree goes is " The White Oaks " which obviously refers to the great forest which is long gone.
I will go back here shortly to get a Winter photo of it. I do have a Summer one up on Flickr.
I hope you do like this lovely tree as much as I do and it was lucky find as its not widely known about.It should be kept that way too.
Have a great weekend and fingers crossed for some decent weather! Im going to do some tree hugging, well anybody and anything hugging really as Im getting a bit desperate!!! Lol!
Pat.
My photos are also easily viewed on Flickriver, on the attached link. Hopefully you may find a pic that you may like.
Cheers!
" The Last Warrior "
This enormous Irish Oak { Quercus Petrea } which only grows in the western and northern areas of England and all over Ireland, as it likes the damp boggy conditions as long as its feet are dry, stands alone in its Autumn colours in a field at Derrybawn Co. Wicklow. This tree was once part of a vast forest that covered this area but which were felled to build "The Fleet" during the days of the great sailing ships in England.
The reason why it survived is because of its odd shape. The trunk is too short for the timber to be of any commercial use so it was spared from the woodsman axe. In England it would have been chopped down to make charcoal.
There is a large branch, 20 feet long lying on the right and its just visible. It would have been a match to the one on the left and would have balanced the tree.When this happens the tree reacts by strengthening and lengthening the root system on the affected side in order to prevent itself from becoming top heavy and falling over.
Ive taken some measurements and the age of it is approaching 900 years of age.It is getting the end of its natural life. I think that is is stunning with its wild tentacled octopus like branches spreading out and tapering gradually to very fine terminal ends which are like small delicate outstretched hands. There are many different oak species through out the World and they are all instantly recognisable because of this unique growth habit. most famous is the English oak { Q.robur } which can grow up to 20ft taller. It also grows here and doesnt have the short stems that attach the leaves to the branches that the Irish oak, has which makes for a more refined appearance.
A translation of Derrybawn where this tree goes is " The White Oaks " which obviously refers to the great forest which is long gone.
I will go back here shortly to get a Winter photo of it. I do have a Summer one up on Flickr.
I hope you do like this lovely tree as much as I do and it was lucky find as its not widely known about.It should be kept that way too.
Have a great weekend and fingers crossed for some decent weather! Im going to do some tree hugging, well anybody and anything hugging really as Im getting a bit desperate!!! Lol!
Pat.
My photos are also easily viewed on Flickriver, on the attached link. Hopefully you may find a pic that you may like.
Cheers!