Snowy Oak

When we first moved to Vermont, there were no oak trees growing naturally or in the forest on our property – or for that matter – anywhere near us. I’m not sure why. They are certainly hardy here and they do grow naturally along the Connecticut River Valley. Maybe the widespread logging industry in the 1800’s stripped this area of oaks?? I’ve always been puzzled by it.

We began a campaign to add oaks to our property when my son, Luke, and I visited our home state of Pennsylvania some years back. On our way back to Vermont, we stopped at a rest area in Northern Pennsylvania and noticed an abundance of oaks – of all varieties. We scooped up a bunch of partially sprouted acorns laying on the ground beneath the oaks and brought them back to Vermont to plant. They happily sprouted and grew into sizable saplings that we later transplanted around the property. 

The tree above was actually not one of those trees but another one that my husband and son transplanted from someone else’s property. It has turned into a nice Red Oak specimen that has been lovingly managed by my arborist husband. Even in a winter’s snowstorm, it stands regal.