Darby and Sandusky Plains Bur Oak Project

[Lucas]

Click on image to see its original size

Some lovely oaks. This one's setting is very nice.

[Matt Markworth]

Thanks Lucas. The wide-open spaces are definitely a great backdrop for the bur oaks. Here's one more photo of that tree and a couple others.

Matt

[Rand]

Not really in the plains, but there is a fat old oak in Schwartzkopf Park in Marysville:

It's located down in a small floodplane on the banks of Mill Creek.

H: 79.5'
cbh: 16' 1"
spread: ~ 70' (36', 40', 30')

Both the height and the spread were a challenge to measure. The tree is relatively flat topped, and I had to go fishing for nested twigs. I found two that were just shy of 80'. There are likely slightly higher ones. The tree is growing right on the edge of Mill Creek, and leaning over it. I took 3 'spoke' measurements CCW around the trunk on dry land. 70' is probably the minimum, while the max is over water, along the same axis as the tree's lean:

Picture of my Dad in front of the trunk:

The tree is still healing the scar of recent lightening strike:

Given the irregularity of the crown it was probably hit significantly once before, a loooong time ago.

Another curiosity is the leaf differences on different pendulous branches, only 10' or so appart:
Classic Bur Oak leaves:

vs. an almost White Oak appearance