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The majestic oak is a beauty to behold. Our navy has floated on its timbers; we built our homes and churches with it; in legend, Robin Hood held meetings in its shade. It is a byword for all that is robust, long living and steadfast in the face of change. The oak is a tree perhaps more than any other that we have taken to our hearts.
"I took an acorn and put it in a pot.
I then covered it with earth, not a lot.
Great pleasure was mine watching it grow.
The first budding green came ever so slow.
I watered my plant twice a week
I knew I would transplant it down by the creek.
One day it will be a giant oak,
To shield me from the sun a sheltering cloak.
Lovers will carve their initials in the bark,
An arrow through a heart they will leave their mark.
It will shelter those caught in a fine summer's rain,
Under its leafy bows joy will be again.
Creatures of the wilds will claim it for their own,
Squirrels will reside here in their own home.
Birds will build nests and raise their young,
They will sing melodies a chorus well sung.
Under its branches grass will grow,
Here and there a wild-flower its head will show.
My oak tree for hundreds of years will live.
Perhaps the most important thing I had to give."
Oak Tree - George Bernard Shaw
"Oak trees grow for over 300 hundred years, thrive for another 300 and then take 300 years to die. Considering how desirable oaks are as trees, one would believe they would be more widely planted, yet it is surprising how infrequently this happens." www.ilexstudio.com
Mark Munroe-Preston has captured the majesty and beauty of a magnificent oak in the Ashdown Forest, in his artwork above.
Sue Mulholland has explored the magical influence of the mighty oak in one of her new originals in acrylic on canvas - Floral Oak
In a very small way, we are going to try and bring this art to you in our Gigglewick Gallery in The Royal Arcade, Worthing over the coming weeks and months.
Not only do we have Mark's and Sue's artwork hanging in the gallery, but we have also planted four mighty acorns! We will lovingly nurture these for a year until they are mature enough to be planted outside. It is the least we can do for an organism that cleans the Earth's air, water and soil and makes a significant contribution to our quality of life.
Come down anytime and pay your respects to the Mighty Oak, the king of the Forest!
We will update this blog on a regular basis to let you know how the oaklings are getting on. If you want to plant you own mighty acorn then head along to Gigglewick Gallery in The Royal Arcade, Worthing or order online at Acorn Vases