(White) Oak
Having a Walking stick made of White Oak has me researching it ...
White Oak
Quercus Alba
Quercus alba, the white oak, is one of the preeminent hardwoods of eastern and central North America. It is a long-lived oak, native to eastern and central North America and found from Minnesota, Ontario, Quebec, and southern Maine south as far as northern Florida and eastern Texas. Specimens have been documented to be over 450 years old. [1]
Although called a white oak, it is very unusual to find an individual specimen with white bark; the usual color is a light gray. The name comes from the color of the finished wood. In the forest it can reach a magnificent height and in the open it develops into a massive broad-topped tree with large branches striking out at wide angles.[1]
The white oak tree (Quercus alba) is a long-lived tree used for shade in landscapes and it is one of the most important timber species in the United States. The “National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees” reports that the white oak has the nickname stave oak, since its wood is integral in making barrels. Shipbuilders in colonial times valued the wood as well. Today, white oak goes into products such as flooring, furniture and beams. The white oak’s range includes most of the eastern United States. The tree is vital to the animals that exist where it grows. [2]
Size, and Form and Growth
While some of the biggest white oaks measure as tall as 150 feet, the average tree of this species grows between 80 and 100 feet high. The trunk's diameter can exceed 4 feet and the tree takes on a broad round look when mature. On some individual white oak trees, the lower branches become gnarled and grow horizontal to the ground. While they aren’t commonly found in nurseries due to their slow rate of growth, white oaks are prized landscaped specimens for the shape of their wide-spreading branches. The slow-growing trees are also long-lived with specimens surviving for hundreds of years. The white oak is difficult to transplant successfully due to its slow growth, making a full-grown oak even more valuable. [2]
Acorns and Acorn Eating Cultures
“The World looks different when you eat acorns.” Samuel Thayer, Nature’s Garden
Most oaks, like other hardwoods, have to be between 30-40 to produce acorns and up to 60 years to produce a full crop of nuts. Oaks flower in the spring; depending on the frosts that year, the frost may impact their nut harvest. According to Samuel Thayer in Nature’s Garden, oaks produce a strong acorn crop every 2-3 years. This is an ecological adaptation to prevent the populations of squirrels and other rodents that eat acorns to eat the entire crop each year. Smaller crops for two years keep populations small, and a large crop in a 3rd year will ensure the survival and continuance of the oak. Further, smaller crops train animals to “hoard” the nuts, stowing them in the ground and forgetting them, so that more oaks are born. [3]
All acorns are edible, but in order to eat them, they have to be properly prepared. Different oaks have smaller or larger nuts–around here, my favorite for eating is the chestnut oak or the white oak, both of which produce very large nuts. These nuts are also both delicious when roasted. Acorns, like all other parts of the oak, contain tannic acid, which makes the acorn bitter without preparation. Leeching the tannic acid out of the acorns (through water extraction or boiling) turns acorns into incredibly delicious nuts and flour. For extensive instructions on how to harvest, leech, and prepare acorns, I suggest Samuel Thayer’s Nature’s Garden. Another good resource is the book Acorn and EatEm by Suellen Ocean. Euell Gibbons has several great recipes for Acorns in Stalking the Wild Asparagus, including candied acorns, acorn grits, acorn meal, and acorn bread and cakes. [3]
Medicinal properties:
The medicinal park of the Oak is its bark, because of the strong astringent properties. Internally as a tea it helps fight diarrhea and dysentery. Externally it can be used to treat hemorrhoids, inflamed gums, wounds, and eczema. The tannin found in oak can help reduce minor blistering by boiling a piece of the bark in a small amount of water until a strong solution is reached, and applying to the affected area. To cure frostbite, American folk medicine called for collecting oak leaves that had remained on the tree all through the winter. These leaves were boiled to obtain a solution in which the frostbitten extremities would soak for an hour each day for a week. [4]
Magic properties:
Dreaming of resting under an oak tree means you will have a long life and wealth. Climbing the tree in your dream means a relative will have a hard time of it in the near future. Dreaming of a fallen oak means the loss of love. If you catch a falling oak leaf you shall have no colds all winter. If someone does get sick, warm the house with an oakwood fire to shoo away the illness. Carry an acorn against illnesses and pains, for immortality and youthfulness, and to increase fertility and sexual potency. [4]
Carrying any piece of the oak draws good luck to you (remember to ask permission and show gratitude.) is tradition for the Litha fire to be oak wood representing the God, since this is the time of year when oak reaches its Zenith power. The Oak trees essence helps boost energy levels and the ability to manifest our goals. The tree's roots mirror its branches and stretch as far below ground as the branches do above. [4]
Seventh month of the Celtic Tree calendar, June 10th - July 7th
Seventh consonant of the Ogham alphabet - Duir
Planet: Jupiter and Mars
Element: Water
Symbolism: Sovereignty, rulership, power,
Strength & Endurance, Generosity & Protection, Justice & Nobility, Honesty & Bravery
Stone: Diamond, Aventuring
Metal: Gold
Birds: Oriole, Wren
Color: Gold
Deity: The Dagda, The Green Man, Janus, Diana, Cybele, Hecate, Pan
Sabbat: Summer Solstice (Litha)
Folk Names: Jove's Nuts, Juglans
Oak is known as the "King of the Grove"; a holy tree; the lord of truth and is one of the three sacred trees "Oak, Ash & Thorn". Worship of the Oak may stem from the early nomadic Europeans using acorns for food. The acorn is seen as the representation of the supreme form of fertility and creativity of the mind; as such, they are used to increase fertility of both projects and ideas and human reproduction, and also ease pain. Acorns can be used to attract someone of the opposite sex, used for divinatory powers, and to attract prosperity and wealth. Acorns should be planted during the Dark moon to attract prosperity. The Waning moon is the right time to harvest Oak, during the day for Acorns, and at night for the leaves and wood. Offer wine to the Oak's roots as thanks for allowing you to take a part of him. Because of its ties to immortality symbolism, acorns are sacred to the Samhain season and are often used in fall decorating. It is a very powerful herb for protection; England is said to be protected by the Oak when using its timbers to build their ships. It is also used as a boundary for its protective qualities. Acorns placed in windows will ward off lightning and beings that would scare us at night; they will also attract luck. Acorns can be born in pockets to ward off storms, to prevent the bearer from getting lost, and protect from evil intent. They are also carried as charms for immortality, longevity, fertility, to ward off illness and preserve youthfulness. Three acorns can be made into a charm to attract youthfulness, attainment, and beauty in life. This charm should be bound with the maker's hair, and blessed at every Full and Dark moon of a year, and then worn. A leaf worn on the neck and next to the heart will allow the wearer to not be deceived by the world at large. [5]
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