Young Oak

One of the last vibrant reds of Autumn is worn by this young oak tree. Anyone who spends time in the woods has probably noticed how many oak trees never seem to grow more than a few inches. Maybe it’s coincidence, or maybe these tasty shoots get eaten down to the level of the snowpack by those beings in need of a mid-winter repast.

This young oak was found as an acorn near the top of Elk Mountain, and after several years, continues on it’s way to becoming
a Mighty Oak.

It’s said that the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today. Next time you find yourself with many acorns underfoot, scoop up a dozen or so and take them home. Put them in a bowl of water, and discard any acorns that float to the surface; the rest are viable. Then plant the acorns someplace where you can keep an eye on them for a few years. Maybe in the first year, or maybe in the third or fourth year, you’ll see the sprout of what will become an oak. Transplant and protect with a wire cage to give the tree time to grow past the size that it will be eaten, five or six years.

Growing an oak takes time. Choose carefully where you plant it, making sure that it’s someplace future generations will enjoy it.