Live Oak at the Alamo

by Norman Gabitzsch

Title

Live Oak at the Alamo

Artist

Norman Gabitzsch

Medium

Photograph - Fine Art Photography

Description

The Live Oak at the Alamo ranks as the most popular tree at the Shrine of Texas Liberty.  The “Big Tree,” as visitors often call it, pleases the crowds and has been commemorated in brass keychains, pen-and-ink drawings, and a history hunt on the Alamo homepage.  Its photographic likeness serves as artwork on the Wikipedia page for Quercus virginiana, the tree’s species name.

The mammoth specimen anchors the Convento Courtyard and sits next to an abandoned well.  Tucked behind the north barracks wall, it exhibits classic Live Oak form:  stout trunk and draping branches that bow to the ground, then reach like fingers from the earth. San Antonio City Forester Michael Nentwich pointed out that Live Oak is one of the most dense tree woods, weighing 76 pounds per cubic foot, which means this tree represents literally tons of biomass.   That’s why mature branches, laden with such weight, often bow to the ground.   Once they touch the ground, they find the  strength and support to begin reaching up again, seeking light and sky.

Planted in 1912 by Walther Whall,  the Alamo Live Oak proved that large trees can be transplanted successfully.  Back then, many didn’t think it possible to relocate large trees.  Whall proved them wrong and started San Antonio’s first tree-moving company.
After carefully removing the earth from the roots of a 40-year-old Live Oak, Whall hauled it to the Alamo on a cart pulled  by four mules.  He transplanted it into the Convento Courtyard where it thrives today.  According to the plaque in front of the tree, Whall contended the most difficult part of moving the tree was avoiding power and telegraph lines.

In this photograph we see the Heritage Tree decorated in Christmas lights.

Photograph made with Nikon Z7.

Copyright (c) 2019 Norman Gabitzsch. All Rights Reserved.

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Uploaded

January 13th, 2020

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