Home to many, a photo from Nottinghamshire, England

Photographer's Note

The oak tree is home to many creatures, and supports more life forms than any other tree.

They are hosts to hundreds of insect species, supplying many birds with an important food source.
In autumn, mammals such as squirrels, badgers and deer feed on acorns.

Flower and leaf buds of the oak are the food of caterpillars.

The soft leaves break down with ease in autumn and form a rich leaf mould beneath the tree, supporting invertebrates such as the stag beetle, and plants such as fungi.
Holes and crevices in the tree bark are perfect nesting spots for birds.

Bats also roost in old woodpecker holes or under loose bark, as well as feeding on the rich supply of insects in the tree canopy.
(Woodland Trust)

The texture of the tree trunk, such as here, is a memorable sight!
Two more shots in the w/s, from Sherwood Forest.

Thanks for looking.

holmertz, jhm, ChrisJ, Royaldevon, ikeharel, pajaran, Fis2, everlasting, ktanska, mcmtanyel, PaulVDV has marked this note useful

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holmertz (101880) 2021-04-23 8:50

Hello Jean,
This must be hundreds of years old, maybe it saw Robin Hood? In any case a tree worth our respect, and the rough uneven details covered with moss are like sculptures by nature. Maybe a small child could hide inside it. Both WS are also very interesting and all photos are sharp and well exposed.
Best regards,
Gert

jhm (211734) 2021-04-23 8:54

Hello Jean,

A lovely old exemplar this oak, maybe two hundred year old!
This is a paradise for wild animals.
Nice sharp and clear photographed.
An excellent composition and details.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

ChrisJ (171146) 2021-04-23 9:09

Hello Jean,

An impressive old oak tree that would have a lot of tales to tell if it could talk. An astonishing variety of animals and birds have made it their home over the centuries. Tfs!

Royaldevon (85576) 2021-04-23 9:18

Hello Jean,

Did you see the programme where they mapped a huge oak tree? It was amazing, just as you say, home to a wide variety of creatures and it roots extended as far outwards as its branches above ground.

This is a fine specimen, truly revealing the term 'gnarled'! I love the textures highlighted by sunlight and shadows! You could imagine this coming to life as in the Tolkien books!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

lousat (138521) 2021-04-23 9:34

Hi Jean,another post dedicated ot the oak,and in fact very useful. An house for a lot of species,i like your list in the note. 3 excellent pics from Sherwood forest,well done as usual. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

Silvio1953 (220443) 2021-04-23 10:58

Ciao Jean, great view of fantastic old tree, wonderful natural colors, excellent clarity, fine details and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end ciao Silvio

Tue (91450) 2021-04-23 11:21

Hello Jean,
Fantastic photo of this ancient oak tree. The shapes and textures of the wood are wonderful. Great lighting also, which produced some wonderful patterns of shadows as well.
Lars

Fis2 (169589) 2021-04-23 11:31

Witaj Jean!
Perfect photo set.
The oak is impressive.
Is this a reserve?
Good frames, colours and light.
Well done.
Good eveningt.
Krzysztof

ifege (46851) 2021-04-23 21:04

Hi Jean
An excellent trio from Sherwood forest with the main one definitely needing to be viewed large.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (146168) 2021-04-23 23:04

Hi Jean,
impressive old tree and trunk, well photographed, good result with contrast between light and shadows, tfs.

emka (157280) 2021-04-23 23:50

Hello Jean,

With human activity, nature is in danger. We should protect everything. I have seen the "hotels" for insects. Much better is this old oak trunk. Important note and a nice composition. Charming light.
I have read recently that you have in the UK some dark sky reserves. Have you been to any of them?
Have a nice weekend

MAlgo
Best regards Malgo

dedee (2931) 2021-04-24 2:59

Hi Jean
A lovely shot.
I particularly like the dappled light and shadows and the gnarled bark of this great oak.

everlasting (19680) 2021-04-25 8:13

a home to many and many tales to tell. A fine detailed image of this old gnarled tree

ktanska (44416) 2021-04-25 9:44

Hi Jean,
Another fantastic picture of this huge and old oak. This time on lovely sunshine and a peek into the hollow trunk. Thanks for your interesting note.
Kari

mcmtanyel (67507) 2021-04-25 16:33

Hello Jean,
That is one interesting trunk. I wonder how old the tree is.
Regards,
MT

mkamionka (73198) 2021-04-26 1:33

Hi Jean,
amazing sculpture by my favourite artist, nature!
You are right that in addition for it being so photogenic it is also so very practical and home to many creatures.
I hate insects but we all need them.
Great reportage from the forest, nice composition, sunlight played an important role here,
M

PaulVDV (62746) 2021-04-28 8:47

Hello Jean,
Three wonderful forest pictures.
The oak seems to have been through a lot and probably has a long and interesting life story.
Just under a year ago, vandals in Belgium sawed deep into 117 oaks with a chainsaw. These trees were in the news again this week.
In the past year arborists have been able to take care of them intensively and the trees will survive. Unbelievable how some people want to damage nature. The vandals were not found.
Best regards, Paul

jmdias (114150) 2021-06-14 12:16

jean

nice views of these big old trees. this main post made me to remember an history my father told me about his village, when napoleon troops invaded the region the poor people of the village hidden the food under trunks of old chestnut trees because the french soldiers took away everything.

take care

jorge