Oak
Strength and Warmth
Regarded as a symbol of strength of character, the oak has been the most widely revered of all trees. The oak hosts different forms of life in its branches, trunk, and roots. Because of this, oak is an emblem of hospitality and protection. In addition, many peoples have regarded oak groves to be sacred places.
In Maryland (USA) grew the famous Wye Oak, which had been the largest white oak in North America. In 2002, a wind blew down the 500-year-old tree. But before the tree fell, various people cloned the tree and saved acorns from the tree. One clone of the tree is growing at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home.
When the tree died, people came from miles around to say good-bye to an old friend. The State of Maryland wrote this about Wye Oak, “The tree became more than just a living symbol of the State Tree. It stood to represent time passed and time to come, the generations of people it witnessed in life, and the perseverance of man and nature.”
From “Celtic Messages” by Joules Taylor: “The massive, sturdy Oak was the Tree of Life, sacred to the Druids. Its roots went deep into the Underworld, while its branches brushed the vault of the sky.”
From “Nature-Speak” by Ted Andrews: “The oak tree provides strength to everyone and reminds us that true strength is also gentle.”
Resources:
“The Quiet Giant, The Wye Oak” , http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/trees/giant.html
“Oak Trees Stories and Pictures” , http://www.arcytech.org/java/population/oak_stories.html
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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008, animalteachers @ gmail.com
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