The King of Trees. Pillar of culture.
Wise Oak Wilderness’ patron saint is (unsurprisingly) the Oak. They are the giving tree. From a wee acorn, up grows the sapling, putting down strong roots. At maturity, an oak produces huge amounts of food to be enjoyed by all; deer & turkey, wood ducks and humans. They are long-haulers, promising a deeper sustenance—a culture that can live for thousands of years, giving more than it takes. The word robust comes from the latin word for oak.
Community. The mysteries of nature.
The Oak thrives through cooperation; they coordinate and produce massive “mast” crops of acorns some years, almost none in others. This controls the populations of squirrels and weavils, ensuring the next generation germinates successfully. Masting only works if all of the trees are on board, and we don’t really know how they do it. Nature is more interconnected and mysterious than we think.
Stewardship. Lost traditions.
If your ancestors are from the northern hemisphere, some of them likely ate a significant amount of acorns. Wild trees were tended over generations, often with controlled fires that killed pests, fertilized the trees, and created an open space perfect for gathering the thousands of pounds of food that fell from the sky. Acorn cultures represent a reciprocal relationship with nature, where human impact can be positive. Conservation through use.
In a world where the patron saints of many cultures seem to be scarcity, individualism, and cutthroat competition, the oak shows us that the world is an abundant place if we can learn to receive its gifts, and that a culture of generosity and collaboration can thrive. A wise teacher indeed.
“Three hundred years to grow
Three hundred more to thrive
Three hundred years to die
Nine hundred years alive..”
From The lost words by Robert Mcfarlane
