Unusual and interesting facts - information about the oak tree and its wood
Oak is the most popular type of wood after pine, and only for the reason that pine is much cheaper and more accessible. Over the centuries, the hardness and strength of oak have forced people to respect such a strong tree, and also to use it in the most unusual industries.
The tree is from the beech family and has more than 600 species, and such a tree is considered sacred by many nations because it is the personification of longevity and strength.
For this reason, we invite you to consider and study interesting facts about oak, as well as its wood.
2. There are about six hundred species of oak trees.
3. Of the entire variety of oak trees, only a few species grow in the Southern Hemisphere. All the rest grow exclusively in the North.
4. Oak acorns are nuts. So say botanists.
5. Oak wood is highly valued for its strength and durability.
OAK BARRELS
6. For the preparation and storage of expensive alcoholic beverages, barrels made specifically from oak wood are used.
7. Since ancient times in Rus', oak was considered a force of power and strength. This mighty tree has a thick trunk and a developed root system, and on a hot sunny day its spreading crown provides excellent shade.
GIANT OAK
8. For normal life, an oak tree needs a large amount of water; an adult tree consumes it in volumes of up to two hundred liters per day. This is not much less than what an adult sequoia requires.
9. Bottle stoppers are made from the bark of some types of oak trees, as well as from cork trees.
10. Oak bark contains a significant amount of acid.
WOOD – Stained OAK
11. The most expensive type of oak wood is bog oak, that is, wood from a tree that has lain in water for at least a hundred years.
12. In Russia and Ukraine, the most common type of oak is pedunculate oak.
LEAN OAK
13. It has two types - the summer type blooms in mid-spring, the winter oak blooms in late spring.
14. Acorns can be eaten and even cooked into wonderful dishes.
15.But you can’t eat them raw because of the bitter taste. In addition, some varieties can be poisonous when raw. Before use it is necessary to carry out heat treatment.
16. Oak is found more often than any other tree on various coats of arms.
17. Oak is on the coats of arms of Tatarstan and Azerbaijan.
18. The image of this tree is on the coats of arms of the cities - Tsivilsk (Chuvashia), Loft (Germany), Langen (Germany), Dubno (Moscow region, Russia), Kandava (Latvia).
19.Oak is also present on the coats of arms of the villages - Semes (Latvia), Medumu (Latvia), Mazozolu (Latvia),
20. On the coats of arms of the regions - the province of Vizcaya (Spain), the commune of Eichwalde (Brandenburg, Germany) you can also see an image of an oak.
STONE OAK
21. The fruits of the holm oak tree, which grows on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, are edible and have a sweet taste.
22. Oak trees with sweet acorns also grow in America; they were eaten by the American Indians.
23. Acorn oil is as popular in Algeria and Morocco as olive oil in our country.
24. In the village of Stelmuzh (Zarasai region of Lithuania) the Stelmuzh oak grows, which is from 1000 to 2000 years old.
25. Only one acorn out of 10 thousand germinates - the rest are eaten by various forest animals.
26. In the fall, wild boars and deer store fat for the winter, largely due to eating a large number of acorns.
27. Acorns usually appear when the oak tree reaches the age of 19-20 years.
28. With all the diversity of oak trees in Russia, only one species grows in significant quantities.
29. Not all oaks shed their leaves for the winter - in the USA, for example, an evergreen species of these trees grows.
30. In Normandy (France), in the small village of Alouville-Belefosse there is a chapel built inside an 800-year-old oak tree. The height of the tree is 18 meters, the diameter of the trunk is 10 meters.
OAK GROVE
31. The most expensive mushrooms in the world, truffles, often grow in the vicinity of oak groves, since their mycelium has a symbiotic relationship with the roots of oak trees.
32. Some scientists believe that people began to eat acorns about 5 thousand years ago; they were used to prepare a product similar to bread.
33. Oak fruits have a bactericidal effect. They are used for cough, pancreatitis, ulcers (but you need to consult a doctor, self-medication is unacceptable).
34. On average, a tree lives about 400 years (sometimes their age reaches 1000 years) and can reach a height of up to 20 meters.
35. A tonic drink reminiscent of coffee is prepared from acorns.
ACORN
36.The coffee drink made from acorns contains beta-carotene, starch, and essential oils. This drink is beneficial for the human cardiovascular system, indigestion and chronic diseases of the digestive system.
37. Acorns are collected from mid-August to early October. If collected later, they may be spoiled by insect pests. If harvested early, the fruits may rot.
38. Contrary to popular belief, oaks do not grow in taiga forests.
39. This tree loves light and warmth; it grows on plains or low mountains.
40. English oak is resistant to sudden temperature changes.
MONGOLIAN OAKS
41.The Mongolian type of oak has beautiful leaves; it is often grown in alleys and squares.
42. Female flowers of oak trees are very firmly attached to the branches; they can withstand even strong winds, which easily breaks off the “earrings” of male trees.
43. By grinding the acorns of some types of oak trees, you can get quite edible flour, although not of very high quality and not particularly nutritious.
44. Acorns are rich in B vitamins and carbohydrates. They are low in fat, mostly just vegetable proteins.
45.These mighty trees were revered by many peoples. Majestic oaks are of great importance in the history of many countries, and their significance is not only economic, but also cultural. A huge number of legends and traditions are associated with oaks.
WHITE OAK
photo from the Internet
sacred tree
In the long-standing traditions of many peoples, oak was considered sacred and magical:
- - the Slavs held important meetings, wedding ceremonies, and courts under this tree, and it was strictly forbidden to come close to the trunk;
- – the priests of the Celtic peoples - the Druids, considered the oak to be the personification of the world axis, and the name “oak” itself comes from the Celtic “drus”, “druid”;
- – among the ancient Greeks and Romans, oak was a sacred gift of the gods, which had miraculous powers;
- – oak attracts lightning more often than other trees, so in ancient times there was a ritual to “seduce” them, and since then there has been a sign prohibiting hiding under this tree during a thunderstorm;
- – it has long been believed that after lightning strikes a tree, causing it to split or burn, it is better to remove the oak.
Normal height
For normal growth, an adult tree needs to absorb approximately 200 liters of water per day . If there is enough moisture for the oak, it can be up to 30 meters , with the trunk diameter exceeding just over 3.5 m . It is noteworthy that even if the tree no longer grows upward, it still increases in breadth.
Here are some more facts:
- – the hardness and strength of the wood is such that in the Middle Ages enemy cannonballs bounced off the sides of ships made of Virginia oak;
- – according to statistics, in nature, only one acorn out of 10 thousand becomes a tree, while with proper collection, storage and preparation for germination, oak trees can also be propagated by acorns, the mass shoots of which appear already on the tenth day after sowing;
- – oaks live on average 400 years, but there are specimens that are more than 1000 years old;
- – oak barrels that are more than 150 years old are used to infuse the best French wines and cognacs from the Rhone Valley.
Pests and diseases
Young oak trees are often affected by powdery mildew, which causes a whitish coating to appear on the surface of the foliage. An adult plant is resistant to this disease. If a young seedling is affected by powdery mildew, it is sprayed with a systemic fungicidal preparation, for example, a solution of Fundazol (0.8%), copper sulfate (1%) or a sulfur suspension. These drugs can also be used for preventive treatments.
Putrefactive fungi and tinder fungi can also settle on the tree, which can cause necrosis of the stems. Dead branches are cut off. Next, the cut areas are coated with garden varnish or treated with copper sulfate.
Various pests can cause damage to oak trees. Silkworms, moths, cutworms, moths or leaf rollers settle on the foliage. Flowers and buds are damaged by the gallworm. And acorns can be harmed by codling moths and weevils.
To get rid of insect pests, treat with an insecticide, for example: Kinmiks, Karbofos, Fitoverm, Intavir, etc. The plant is treated twice: in spring and summer.
Spreading
Oak is common in the Northern Hemisphere
, which is explained by comfortable weather conditions.
The powerful tree was respected in European countries and considered sacred. Meetings were held under the oak trees and rituals were held.
However, most of the oak forests have been wiped off the face of the earth. People needed areas for arable land and the expansion of villages and cities. Now oaks occupy no more than 5 percent of the entire forest belt in Europe.
Wedding story
There is a tree in Germany that has its own postal address . According to legend, in the 19th century, a couple of people in love, secretly from their daughter’s father, left notes in a hollow for each other. When the father saw that his ban on relationships between lovers did not apply, he agreed to their marriage. The wedding took place under this very oak tree. Inspired by the legend, people put their own notes in its hollow, wanting to find their soulmate. Over time, it was given its own postal address: Bräutigamseiche, Dodauer Forst, 23701 Eutin .
Use in medicine
The beneficial properties of the tree's fruits are used in medicine:
Oak bark relieves inflammation. A decoction is prepared from it, which is useful to drink for diseases of the throat and mucous membranes, including the stomach. The bark is collected in the spring from young oak trees. Then it is dried for several days until it becomes brittle.
The story about the beneficial properties does not end there. The leaves have a calming effect and help get rid of worms. An infusion of them will cure frostbite and eliminate burns.
