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Cool icon!
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Tim de Chassaing (leboistoo)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 55 W: 55 N: 55]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (154) |
| Genre: Plants |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2006-01 |
| Categories: Trees |
| Camera: Pentax Optio 550 |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2006-08-07 12:09 |
| Viewed: 1498 |
| Points: 13 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
THE OAK (QUERCUS ROBOR) is deeply connected in our hearts as representing the very essence of England and France. It would be hard not to think of this tree as a masculine energy - mighty, strong, enduring and steadfast. The images we have of the Oak are buried deep in national and county psyche. Indeed, it is one of our longest-living trees, spanning generations upon generations. They were planted to mark boundaries because of their longevity and strength to endure for hundreds of years. The Oak will take 70 - 80 years before it begins to produce acorns. By then the trunk will be about 20 inches in diameter, but this will still be a young tree in the life of an Oak. After it has reached 100 years, it will only increase its girth by about one inch (2.5cms) a year, but this extremely hard dense wood is highly prized as a building material and firewood. Until men devised iron cutting tools, the Oak resisted all attempts to fell it. After this, ironically, Oak became the main wood for making the charcoal needed for the furnaces which separated iron from its ore. It later became the main construction material for houses, churches and ships as it was strong and durable and its twisted branches provided the right shapes needed. In Elizabethan times, a law had to be passed, protecting the Oak, to give the tree a chance to re-establish itself as so much of the great oak forests had been felled for building materials and fuel. After that, many oaks were coppiced to give a renewable resource. The Oak woods we have now are a legacy from these times. There are many famous old Oak trees. The most notable perhaps is the major Oak in Sherwood Forest, although it is a big disappointment to see it these days, held up with chains and a fence round it to stop all human contact. Other ancient Oaks can be found on village greens or in fields and would previously have been used a boundary marker. Many old Oaks were called Gospel Oaks, relating to the time when the gospels were preached from beneath their mighty shade. Of course, this follows on from the custom and practice of the Druids who met in mighty Oak groves and beneath old Oak trees, for all their meetings and teachings were outside in the open and closely connected to the tree dryads. One etymology of the word Druid derives it from "dru-wid", meaning "knower of oak trees", but "deru" also means truth or troth and so could also give the meaning "knower of the truth".
This photograph shows a beautiful, straight trunked Oak tree with its skeletal branches highlighted by winter snow. The acorns from this tree have been tranferred to local woods to suppliment natural planting. The image was resized and sharpend. Thought this would cool TN members during the heat waves..... |
horia, Alex_Strugariu, Alex99, Shoot_Score has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- horia
(14904)
- [2006-08-07 12:16]
- [+]
Superb shot, Tim!
In these hot summer days, it's great to have such icon to think of. Great timing in posting it :)
Excellent POV, nice sharp details, great exposure, very good framing and composition.
Bravo and TFS
Horia
- GLEM
(6115)
- [2006-08-07 15:24]
- [+]
Hello,
Good idea this covered with snow tree. A wider concentration would maybe have allowed of to put it in evidence more.
TFS
Great shot !
Wonderful composition!
TFS
Alex
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- Alex99
(18539)
- [2006-08-18 15:40]
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Hi Tim.
You have shared very a nice picture returning us at winter. Gentle draw of winter is very precisely transferred by you. Very well done and TFS.
Alexei.
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- mrcrow
(3002)
- [2006-10-29 15:34]
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no sign of mel there either...!!..:)
the lone tree icon as ever an attraction..this time in its winter un-greenery..
good solid image with fullness and prescence
cheers
geof
Hi dear Tim ,
Wonderful shot. good sharpness.
i like it so much.
thanks
Saeed
Although I like to think Winter is done, I DO like this shot. The Note is very interesting also. Esp. the mention of the acorns that are transferred to local woods, to augment natural planting! This almost b&w shot gives a very nice form to that mighty oak... Tfs, Jay
PS I was premature with my comment a month ago! We had a lotta snow and some hail since!
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 124 W: 0 N: 174]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(649)