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We drove out to see The Big Tree. From Rockport we headed north across Capano Bay. Traffic was not impeded by construction, but a new bridge is being built right up next to the old one. Pictures would have been nice, but there was no stopping, and in this case no shooting through the window of the moving vehicle.
The tree is in Goose Island State Park which is perhaps a dozen miles from Rockport. It is a beautiful drive through Lamar and around the bay. After some leisurely exploration, we finally arrived at the home of the behemoth.
That is BBBH on the other side of the tree. There was a bench near where she is standing. We sat thereon for some time, looking at this tree and the surroundings, reflecting a bit on the history that has transpired since this creature was a seedling.
The tree is judged to be over 1000 years old. The acorn would have germinated and the tree might have been a small sapling about the time that Lief Ericson sailed to Vinland. The mature tree would have been near seventy years of age when William conquered England.
Tree would have been observing its 500th birthday about the time that Columbus set foot in the New World.
This venerable example of God's handiwork was well over 800 years of age when Texas declared its independence and became a republic.
End today's history lesson
8 comments:
Amazing tree with interesting history.
Really amazing! Obviously this tree was a victim of urban expansion.
Chuck, it is an interesting phenomenon.
Vee, although there are urbs nearby, the tree is still in quite a natural setting. It is nursed and pampered by the Parks division. The fence serves to keep people from compacting the surrounding soil and thus depriving Tree of needed moisture.
So yesterday it was a big bird, and today it is a big tree - is there a theme here? Oh wait - you're still in Texas aren't you...
Grace, indeed; I have heard it said that everything is bigger in Texas. But it wasn't an Alaskan who said it.
Every time I see that tree I am soaked in awe. It's truly full of wonder~
Shelly, truly this is a case where "awesome" can be properly applied!
What a picturesque tree! I could sit and contemplate its shapes and meanings for a long time.
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