The Big Tree
Rockport, Texas
Texas State Champion Live Oak (since 1966)
Welcome to my home.
I am a live oak tree and I am very old. I have seen spring return more than a thousand times. I can remember hundreds of hurricanes, most I’d rather forget, but I withstood. There was a big fire once. I hate fire.
Around me are my offspring. We are an
old-dune woodland community. We provide shelter and acorns for
squirrels, jays, raccoon, bobwhite,
deer, javelin and most other members
of our community.
For most of my life I belonged only to myself. Now belong to you, racks, or so I’m told. Humpf! Branch breakers and root tramplers the lot of you.
Some years ago someone came and patched my cracks, trimmed my dead branches, killed my pest and healed my fungus rots. Was that you? I’m feeling much better, thank you.
I’m tired now. You may leave me in peace when you are ready to go. Please leave my home as you found it. I have important things to do. The seasons are changing again and I must get ready.
The Big Tree Statistics
- Trunk circumference: 35 feet 1 ¾ inches - 10.71 meters
- Average truck diameter: 11 feet 2 ¼ inches - 3.41 meters
- Crown spread: 89 feet - 27.1 meters
- Height: 44 feet - 13.4 meters
- Age: in excess of 1000 years
Big Tree
I have gathered sun and rain to grow green leaves
Swaying softly in
the spring, rustling like applause in fall.
My limbs have shaded generations;
My roots have reached for
centuries;
My children and their children’s children surround me,
Here
in this peaceful part of my land.
Golden sunlight diamonds have glinted on the ground around me
Cold
fingers of ice have touched my heartwood.
Dust-dry days of sandstorms
have scoured my skin
Torrents of rain, driven by gales have rushed at
me,
And I have swayed, but stayed unbroken.
Silver moonlight has kept me
company many a night
Yet through all the seasons, sorrows, bitterness and beauty
All of
the history I have withstood and witnessed,
There has been one thing I
could not do.
I could not grow green dollars, or silver or gold.
Will you help me, standing here before me?
Then we may both grow old,
together,
As old friends should.
One of flesh, one of wood.
By Mary Hoekst
