An old oak in transit. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the perfect photo from a bonsai point-of-view. But then, viewing this tree as a bonsai is just an excuse for sharing a great story about saving a venerable tree.
World’s largest bonsai?
If you can call a large wooden box a pot (the shape and proportions are pretty good), then you could call this massive old tree a bonsai. For a while at least. Now it’s safely back in the ground (field growing, as we like to say).
This now somewhat famous tree is called the Ghirardi Compton Oak. It has resided in League City, Texas for 100 plus years, and still resides there, albeit, 1500 feet from it’s old home. Rather than saying much more here, I’ll just show you a few photos, thank Michael Markoff for the hot tip and encourage you to check out this excellent video. If these photos and the video aren’t enough, try this article, and if you’re still curious after that, you can explore this page full of leads.
Nice nebari, trunk and lower branches. This photo and the last two (below) are the only shots that I didn’t lift straight from the video (thus the clarity).
Anther good nebari shot.
Don’t forget to water! Beyond the obvious, like watering, the amount of care that went into moving and reestablishing this tree is truly remarkable.
A close up of the pot.
Thriving in its new home. As you can see, and as expected, it dropped a lot of leaves in response to the stress. The good news is that a new crop of leaves have taken their place.
Wow! Great to see Texas cares about its old trees, unlike LA which has reportedly chopped down about 400 old trees to make way for the space shuttle.
Texas does try to save it’s old trees. There is another old oak (older than the one in the photo) out on the Live Oak penninsula that has been the object of a community survival effort. We have been in a severe drought for 2 years so the fire department of Rockport/Fulton has gone out and watered the oak. Even with water restrictions in place not one person complained about this effort. Makes one realize that people are wonderful!
I never imagined thye could do this…..I cant imagine how much it cost!!!! where theres a will thers a way!
That is just fantastic!!! I love to see the thoughtfulness that went into this amazing project. What care, what incredible vision of, “we can move that tree, it’s worth saving!” Yippie! This is one for us tree lovers!
Thanks Sharon and Evan too,
There are other examples from all around the country of people trying to save trees. The massive Ponderosa pine borer epidemic in the Rockies has prompted several efforts to save trees.
I’ve got a few pictures of it in its box that might fit better with the ‘bonsai’ theme if anyone is interested.
The budget inthe move was $197,500 which came from park dedication fees. These are fees levied on developers who Boise not to include park space within their subdivisions.
The tree was moved to land my dad donated adjacent to a new water conservation park. The tree is doing very well and has lots of new root and crown growth.
Thanks Michael,
That’s great info on a great story. And yes, we’ve love to see some photos.
Michael, I’d love to see those photos. Please e-mail to pomegranatepip at gmail dot com.
Thanks,
Andrew