I once read that Marcescence is an ancient defense against megafauna. I agree that they are a pain in the ass. In the 70s towns planted them everywhere. I stopped planting them when I cound not mow under them without getting beat up. Their lower branches move straight down. I have them pruned up almost 12 feet and they still go low enough to make mowing w a rider dangerous for face and eyes.
I have a new appreciation for these now, seems like they didn't quite make it far enough west to me, possibly blocked by the limestone soils? So I only run into them in irrigated landscape plantings while collecting for acorn flour and just desperately wish they were bur or sawtooth instead.
It might be the water then, I'm in the 30-35inch precipitation band at the western edge of the tall grass prairie. A lot of the eastern forest species can survive here but they're must less impressive than in your neck of the woods.
Fascinating, thank you. I had never heard of this species but with a little digging I see that they are sold as ornamental here in Ireland. "Palustris" suggest they would enjoy the amount of rain we get at least.
Yes, they love wet soils here... they have a root system that's more widespread and fibrous than the typical taproots you find on most oaks. I meant to mention these things. There's been a little work done exploring how pin oak pulls water up closer to the soil surface, which makes it more available to surrounding flora.
As a climber, I disliked working on them. But I have come to admire their strength and resiliency in the decaying urban landscape I live in. Much better at regenerating and surviving than red oak. More useful than all these black walnut trees that also are thriving in the cityscape.
your writing is pragmatic poetry, taking me along where it is you are. thank you!
I once read that Marcescence is an ancient defense against megafauna. I agree that they are a pain in the ass. In the 70s towns planted them everywhere. I stopped planting them when I cound not mow under them without getting beat up. Their lower branches move straight down. I have them pruned up almost 12 feet and they still go low enough to make mowing w a rider dangerous for face and eyes.
Yep, definitely gotten whipped in the face while mowing... Interesting to hear about the marcescence theory.
Something I failed to mention is that they're very tolerant of air pollution, which will probably continue to be an advantage in the future.
I have a new appreciation for these now, seems like they didn't quite make it far enough west to me, possibly blocked by the limestone soils? So I only run into them in irrigated landscape plantings while collecting for acorn flour and just desperately wish they were bur or sawtooth instead.
Not sure about limestone, but they do like it swampy. I'm also not seeing a lot of disease or decline compared to white oaks around here.
It might be the water then, I'm in the 30-35inch precipitation band at the western edge of the tall grass prairie. A lot of the eastern forest species can survive here but they're must less impressive than in your neck of the woods.
Fascinating, thank you. I had never heard of this species but with a little digging I see that they are sold as ornamental here in Ireland. "Palustris" suggest they would enjoy the amount of rain we get at least.
Yes, they love wet soils here... they have a root system that's more widespread and fibrous than the typical taproots you find on most oaks. I meant to mention these things. There's been a little work done exploring how pin oak pulls water up closer to the soil surface, which makes it more available to surrounding flora.
As a climber, I disliked working on them. But I have come to admire their strength and resiliency in the decaying urban landscape I live in. Much better at regenerating and surviving than red oak. More useful than all these black walnut trees that also are thriving in the cityscape.
Thanks for the insight. I'm admittedly a bit tech-blind, but find it interesting when stewardship ethics and technology ethics find a common root.