A tiny acorn, resembling a miniature egg in an eggcup, loses its hold on a tree and drops to the ground. Buried by the scurrying squirrel and then forgotten, the seed sprouts. In time, it becomes a majestic oak, the mightiest off Britain’s native forest trees.
Celebrated inn history and myth, the oak can live more than a thousand years. Some reach 40 meters in height! Old oaks are remarkable for their massive trunks and spreading boughs. While Britain has two native species of oaks tress, worldwide, there are about 450 varieties. What identifies them all is their seed, the tiny acorn.
The Oak tree hosts a greater variety of wildlife than any other British tree. This includes large number of insect species. Many caterpillars love to feast on the oaks tender summer leaves. But thee tree defends itself. Maturing leaves develop unappetizing tannins.
Every part of the tree is inhibited. Vast array of insect life attracts a multitude of birds and spiders. Beetles bore away under the thick, fissured bark. Owls and colonies of bats lodge inside hollow trunks. Small animals such as mice, voles, rabbits, badgers, and foxes find shelter among the roots
The Oak has its own disposal agents. Each year a quarter of a million leaves fall from a full-grown oak tree. Fungi and bacteria decompose the leaf litter and recycle nutrients back into the soil. Some years, an oak tree will produce 50,000 acorns. Most are gathered or eaten by birds and animals. Mites and beetles dispose of dead wood, and fungi feeds on the bark.
Oak timber is exceptionally strong and durable. It has long been a favorite for building houses and making fine furniture. It is ideal for making barrels in which to age beer and wine. And sturdy sailing ships built of oak helped the British Navy to dominate the seas for many years.
Oak timber is still valued. And the tree, an integral part of the British landscape, is justly admired for its strength, dependability, and endurance. From a tiny acorn grows a mighty oak.
