What’s Next for the Great Oak
- Karen Stanley
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
You might think that there’s little to be done for an uprooted tree except cut it into pieces and haul it off. If it were in the way or if it had fallen on something important, we would go that route. Instead, Boxerwood is planning to create a second life for the Great Oak tree, which uprooted in a windstorm in February after multiple snow and rainstorms saturated the soil beneath it. Thank you to Karen Stanley, Boxerwood Garden Steward, for sharing these insights and updates via Q&A below:
Q: What’s up with that root ball?
The exposed root ball is quite a work of art in its own right. Something like a modern sculpture reminiscent of Medusa’s serpentine head. Many folks have shared with us their shock to see the root ball of such a large tree shaped more like a saucer than a bowl. But that shallow profile is by ecological design. Often roots spread out just under the ground where there is enough air and water between the soil particles. Deeper down, most roots don’t survive the limited resources and abundance of rock and compacted mineral soil. Many trees, not just the Great Oak, have naturally shallow root structures. Its time had come.
Q: What’s the plan for the fallen tree?
The root ball and main trunk will remain where the tree now rests. We want folks to be able to access the trunk and behold the sheer size of the tree. Wildlife has already been using the shelter of the trunk and branches in new ways.
Our desire is to invite the core of the Great Oak to keep teaching, as visual reminder of the cycle of life in a forest ecosystem. Slowly, very slowly, the tree will return to the earth from which it sprang. Meanwhile, we’ll re-purpose the smaller branches to create wildlife habitat piles we affectionately call “rabbitat.” These piles also help slow and filter stormwater into the creek channels. We’ll use larger branch logs for Boxerwood benches, tree cookies, firewood, and more. Ever generous, Nature has provided us with a huge amount of useful biomass.
Q: Are you going to plant another oak?
Just in time for Earth month and Arbor Day, Boxerwood will be planting a new oak on Saturday afternoon, April 12, as part of our Celebrating Trees! Day. (See link below). The loss of the Great Oak has actually created perfect conditions for the next generation. Oak trees are important keystone species that provide food, shelter, and protection for hundreds of other plant and animal species. Unfortunately, they are also in decline in our eastern forests as they are somewhat intolerant of shade and will not regenerate under the canopy of a mature forest. The original Great Oak in its falling has created a forest opening that provides sufficient sunlight for the next oak seedling – so let’s plant!
Q: What about the rootball (and April 12)?
Boxerwood will fill the root ball pit on March 20, with plans for a future flower garden right there. Using a permaculture practice called hugelkultur, we’ll fill the pit with layers of large to small woody debris, compost, biochar, and mulch. We’ll mound the pit so that as the debris decomposes and sinks, it will level to a flat surface. This mound provides a fertile planting space, sequesters carbon from wood in the ground, and holds moisture in the many spaces around the debris. New life!
In short, the Great Oak isn’t going anywhere. We hope those that want to honor this tree and the many memories that intertwine with it will come out on the afternoon of April 12th, help us share stories, plant the next trees, and sow flowers of hope and beauty where our Great Friend once stood.
