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Re: TT: Live Oak

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At 02:06 AM 1/21/98 -0500, RT Ellsberry wrote:
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> Dear TreeTown -
>
>Quercus virginiana.   I don't think that any species to my own (evolving)
knowledge inspires more joyful awe than the Live Oak Tree, native to the SE
US.  I do
>have evergreen Southern Magnolias right outside my window, however,
>which don't quite make it up to New York City (sorry Lisa :) ...
>
>Just being excited about taking my first vacation in memory down to
>Charleston SC in a few days.  Been spending way too much time in front
>of computers.  On the outer skirts of Charleston survives the gigantic
>'Angel Oak,' I believe, which is several hundred years old and is easily
>worth the trip -- much broader than tall and draped in Spanish Moss.
>
>There's not much to compare with a Live Oak though, you may have seen
>them in the wonderful film 'Forrest Gump.'  Any differing opinions?
>
>Richard@Flora.Com
>On the road from Baltimore USDA Zone 7
>
>
> ==============================(TreeTown)===============================
>
>
The Live Oak in Charleston is, I believe, located at a restored plantation
called (believe it or not) "Magnolia Plantation"!   At any rate, it has been
a few years since I have seen this specimen, but I think it is the one you
describe.   The entry drive to the manor house curls up a small slope and
under a (huge) ground-sweeping branch of the tree.
   Those of us here in the south do appreciate and nurture the Live Oak.   I
am constantly reminded of this concern every time I pass a magnificent
individual located in the parking lot of a convenience store on US1 a few
blocks off I-95 here in Jacksonville.
   Great care was taken to lay out and protect a "planting pit" by
re-routing driveways, etc. to the relative inconvenience of customers, but
to the great relief of this obviously centuries-old tree.   Kudos to L'il
Champ Food Stores and the City of Jacksonville.   
   By the way, cutting down trees here to simply make room for buildings is
a serious offense.   Recently, a unit of AutoNation USA (used cars by Wayne
Huizenga who brought us Waste Management Inc, BlockBuster Video and the
Florida Marlins) somehow managed to clear cut many acres of forest right on
I-95, and the resulting controversy has not only created a public relations
nightmare for this company, but has now resulted in the immediate
"retirement" of the Building and Zoning Director, a 30-year public employee.
    Come on down South, we love our trees here.   PS: approximately 60% of
the land area of Jacksonville (the largest city area in the lower 48) is
tree farms or protected area.

Bruce Crichton
Jacksonville,FL


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