Arboretum Virtualis | XVIII
When I think of big trees, oaks like this one with sprawling elastic branches usually come to my mind before the tall spruce, redwoods and baobabs. Sure, I’m fascinated by those and many more but there’s something about a big old oak that makes me feel like I’m in the presence of wisdom. As though the tree harbors an intelligent soul that can impart grand knowledge of many years of experience to me, if I just be quiet and listen.
It took a merge of 41 pictures to make this composition of being sheltered beneath the crown if this southern live oak. This massive beautiful tree grows in the front yard of the First Presbyterian Church on North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC. Hardly wizened and enchanted but probably as close as anyone could truthfully get.
Amazing feat to create this photo…a beauty too.
It was quite a challenge to coordinate all of those shots.
Big work and beautiful results.
Thank you, Antonia.
There is something very special about these big and wide deciduous trees such as this oak. Majestic and mighty. Amazing that it took 41 pictures to make this one.
The strength and elasticity of the wood in these branches is incredible; right down to the molecular chains. Many of these branches reach out horizontally 4 times farther than the base of the trunk is high before the first branch grows out from it. Plus, these branches can take profound water and wind loading. It’s amazing.