| Heroditus, the father of ancient history, recorded in the | | | | be turkeys out in the morning and evenings looking for |
| mid-400's B.C., that oak trees were reputed to have | | | | live oak tree delicacies, gobbling invitations for their |
| within their boughs, the gift of prophecy. The presence | | | | turkey friends to come down and join them in |
| of oak tree galls in oak trees is caused by insect | | | | Thanksgiving for the Fall feast. |
| larvae that tunnel inside the twigs. The oak tree | | | | When Oak trees are planted for shade trees one |
| branches can become infested with numerous little | | | | must consider the overall height of the tree. The Black |
| galls that look like brown or tan balls, as the cells of the | | | | Oak Tree, and White Oak Tree can grow as tall as a |
| oak tree grow to surround the insects inside. Some | | | | hundred feet, whereas, the Water Oak and Sand Live |
| cultures call these creations, 'Oak Apples,' and they are | | | | Oak, and Chinquapin Oak will only reach fifty feet or |
| used commercially to produce tannins, ink and a wide | | | | there about. Quercus rubra or Northern Red Oak, one |
| assortment of medicinal remedies. The use of oak | | | | of the fastest growing oak trees, can reach towering |
| wood is well known as a hard wood with many uses | | | | heights of eighty feet in just about half the time that a |
| reported in ancient times. | | | | Sand Live Oak takes to grow fifty feet, and is often a |
| It is not an easy task to write about the history of oak | | | | choice shade tree among new home builders. |
| trees, because there are so many species, all having | | | | Along the Georgia Coast at Sea Island, Georgia, oak |
| different stories of their own in historical development | | | | trees have been planted around the main hotel, and |
| of tree lines, having evolved in different climates in | | | | since their opening in 1928, famous former Presidents, |
| different nations of the World. William Bartram in 1773 | | | | and dignitaries from around the world have planted a |
| wrote in his book, 'Travels', that he slept underneath | | | | Live Oak tree to commemorate their stay at Sea |
| the "protecting shade of the hospitable live oak, and | | | | Island, Georgia, even Former President George Herbert |
| reclined my head, and at Fort Frederica, Ga. "under the | | | | Walker Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush |
| whole spreading boughs that opened a spacious | | | | honeymooned there. Lady Margaret Thatcher, former |
| avenue leading to the former seat of General | | | | prime minister of Great Britain, planted a Live Oak at |
| Oglethorpe." One live oak tree called the Wesley Oak, | | | | Sea Island in 1994. President G.H.W. Bush planted a |
| named after the founder of the Methodist Church, | | | | Live Oak tree in 1991 while on vacation at the Cloister. |
| John and Charles Wesley, was used to carve out a | | | | On February 12, 1941, Howard Coffin, the founder of |
| rugged, wooden cross, that is still used at the altar of | | | | Sea Island, had planted a Live Oak tree grown from a |
| the Christ's Episcopal Church on St. Simon's Island, | | | | seed brought from Surry England, to commemorate |
| Georgia, also the island site of Fort Frederica, Georgia. | | | | the founder and first Governor of Georgia, General |
| Over the last several hundred years, all around the | | | | James Oglethorpe, whose home was in England. |
| world, different varieties of Oak Trees have been | | | | Lastly, the most recent Live Oak trees planted on Sea |
| discovered; six hundred plus. Oak trees are desired | | | | Island, Georgia was in 2004 during the G-8 Summit, |
| among the gardening world for many different | | | | when President G.W. Bush, and British Prime Minister |
| reasons. Some gardeners like the old world appeal of | | | | Tony Blair planted Live Oak trees at the inauguration |
| swooping oak tree limbs, covered with hanging | | | | of their meetings with the worlds economic leaders, at |
| Spanish moss. Some may like to plant them for shade | | | | the G-8 Summit. |
| trees, but what is probably the most famous | | | | The chronological order in which Sea Island, Georgia |
| association of oak trees are on the old plantations of | | | | memorial, and commemorative oaks were planted and |
| the south. Innumerable forests of oak trees, neatly | | | | are presently growing there. |
| trimmed and brimming with wildlife, nibbling away at the | | | | 1928: Calvin Coolidge planted the very first Live Oak |
| acorns. | | | | tree at Sea Island when the Cloister Hotel opened for |
| There are several classifications of oak trees: | | | | business. |
| Deciduous Varieties: Pin Oak Tree, Quercus palustris; | | | | 1931: Howard Coffin, the founder of The Cloister at |
| Sawtooth Oak Tree, Quercus acutissima; Willow Oak | | | | Sea Island planted a Live Oak tree to celebrate |
| Tree, Quercus phellos; White Oak Tree, Quercus alba; | | | | Georgia's founder and first Governor, James |
| Water Oak Tree, Quercus nigra; Turkey Oak Tree, | | | | Oglethorpe. |
| Quercus laevis; Swamp Chestnut Oak Tree, Quercus | | | | 1946: Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower honored |
| michauxii; Shummard Oak Tree, Quercus shummardii; | | | | his visit to Sea Island by planting the Eisenhower Oak |
| Red Northern Oak Tree, Quercus rubra; Red Southern | | | | Tree. |
| Oak Tree, Quercus falcata; and the Post Oak Tree, | | | | 1952: The Queen's Live Oak was planted by H.M. |
| Quercus stellata. There are also Evergreen Oaks: | | | | Juliana Queen of the Netherlands. |
| Laurel Oak Tree, Quercus laurifolia; and the Darlington | | | | 1979: The President Ford Oak tree was planted by |
| Laurel Oak Tree, Quercus hemisphaerica. The two | | | | Gerald R. Ford on one of his many visits to Sea Island, |
| most famous however, are Semi-Evergreen: Live Oak | | | | Ga. |
| Tree, Quercus virginiana; and Sand Live Oak Tree, | | | | 1981: President Carter Live Oak tree was planted by |
| Quercus geminata. All of these varieties produce | | | | Jimmy Carter. |
| acorns that vary in size from ½ inch to 1 ¼ inches. | | | | 1991: G.H.W. Bush Live Oak was planted while the |
| In locations where Oak trees are not commonly found, | | | | Bush's were on vacation at The Cloister on Sea Island |
| certain varieties can be planted to attract wildlife. | | | | Georgia. |
| Smaller nut varieties are fed on by squirrels, and birds, | | | | 1994: Lady Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister |
| and larger acorn varieties like the White Oak, and | | | | of Great Britain planted a Live Oak while on vacation |
| Gobbler Oak and Sawtooth Oak are eaten by deer, | | | | at Sea Island with her husband Sir Denis Thatcher. |
| turkey, and boar. The White Oak tree is a great wildlife | | | | 2004: President George Walker Bush planted a Live |
| cultivar to plant because of its ability to ripen acorns | | | | Oak tree celebrating the hosting of the G-8 Summit. |
| within one year, and its above average growth rate. | | | | 2004: British Prime Minister Tony Blair planted a Live |
| The Live Oak is commonly found in woods of the | | | | Oak to celebrate his presence at the Summit on Sea |
| Southeastern United States. Pine trees are also found | | | | Island. |
| in large numbers in the Southeast, so there will certainly | | | | |