We don’t have live oaks (Quercus virginiana, Southern live oak) in Lancashire, more’s the pity, as they are spectacular trees. Live oaks are named for their (almost) evergreen foliage which looks more like a small, magnolia leaf than an English oak leaf, but they might just as well have been named for the amount of life they home.
Even a relatively young tree looks venerable. Quick to grow above a deep tap root, live oaks amicably bear ferns and other epiphytes in outlandishly long and horizontal branches.
To those who tolerate anthropomorphism, I’ll whisper that the live oak’s luxuriant lushness looks like many outstretched arms are wearing a single, furry, green coat that alters itself to fit as the tree grows.
Gardeners who have tried and failed to establish grass under the shade of trees might note the monkey grass that works so well here.
Those appear to be Resurrection ferns, which are thick on our oaks just now thanks to weeks of wet conditions. In dry conditions, they shrivel into little “wheels,” and wait for the rain to unfurl them and produce the effect you’ve shown here.
I have some pictures of them doing that. They’re amazing plants.
What a wonderful oak this is….. The ferns and epiphytes on its branches give him a fairy look.
It does have an otherworldly look. We’d be amazed to know of the life stories that go on every day in a tree like this one.
I have never heard of such an oak, but bring on the anthropomorphism. 😉
I will!
Thank you – how interesting
My pleasure!
How wonderful! I am putting this in my ‘best trees ever’ file. (I do actually have one 😉 )
How wonderful – I’m honoured!
As I think you know, live oaks are common in central Texas, too.
I do! You are lucky to have them.
Beautiful tree, I wonder how it looks in Fall…!
As it is almost evergreen, it probably looks much the same! The ferns however are a type that almost completely dry out in a drought then green up again when the rain returns.
Those are ferns? Wow. There were trees called Live Oaks in CA where I lived, but none looked like this! How spectacular!
They’re Resurrection ferns as several people have pointed out.
this is a stupendous tree – teeming with life and beauty. How wonderful
Definitely a venerable one.
ooh now that’s a good word for it
Beautiful trees
I’m glad you liked them.