Mighty trees from small beginnings

The white oak can grow into a massive tree by Midwestern standards. It can live to more than 500 years old and commonly grows to more than 80 feet tall.

The wood of the white oak is hard and tight-grained. It is the favored firewood for use in home heating. Other uses include the making of wine barrels, hammer handles and railroad ties.

A mature white oak tree can produce thousands of acorns, which are a valuable autumn food source to wild turkeys, deer, woodpeckers, blue jays, wood ducks and squirrels.

The white oak's acorns will begin falling from the tree in early autumn before its leaves turn and fall. The acorns of this tree will begin to sprout and put down root soon after they fall, especially if the ground is wet.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature photo column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more work by him at the OTenem Gallery.

"Through the Woods"

I walk among the trees.

I stand with mighty oaks and am okay.

I hear the coyote howl

And memorize the cadence of the owl.

The forest whispers softly

in the breezes moving gently on the hill.

I place my feet precisely

attentive to the ringing tree frog trill.

Drinking lessons worth the taking,

eyes open wide and thinking,

I memorize the cadence of the owl.

I sit among the trees.

I sleep with mighty oaks and am okay.

I see but say no word

mesmerized by the sum of life assured.

The forest keeps her silence,

afraid the saw-man come if she be heard.

Remembering days of violence

she leaves the task of talking to the bird.

Grasping lessons worth the keeping,

mind open wide and leaping,

I'm mesmerized by the sum of life assured.

Flowers one day are blooming.

Snow the next is looming.

Blue sky and sun give way to clouds and rain.

I go slowly through the woods

weighing whys, and ifs, and coulds

advocating comprehension over pain.