Live Oak is a symbolic tree of the Deep South. The Virginia Live Oak has a squat and leaning form with a large diameter tapering trunk. The leaves are semi-evergreen, are waxy and resistant to salt spray which allow the tree to live on the southern coast and on barrier islands.
The Friendship Oak, located on the front lawn of the Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, MS, is a prime example of the beauty and strength of the Live Oak tree. Friendship Oak, over 500 years old, survived a long string of hurricanes, including Hurricane Katrina. Current measurements show a 59-foot height; diameter of the trunk is 5 feet 9 inches; circumference of the trunk is 19 feet 9 1/2 inches; spread of foliage is 155 feet. The average length of the main lateral limbs is 60-66 feet from the trunk; average circumference of the limbs at the trunk is 7 1/2 feet; the tree forms almost 16,000 feet of shelter; and laterial roots go out 150 feet. When I visited Southern Miss Campus, years ago, students enjoyed reading while seated on the platform within it's mighty branches. Posted by Valerie
No comments:
Post a Comment