Rooting for heart.
Like a neglected childhood friend waiting patiently.
Attempting to get comfortable despite the sticky situation.
Empty. Gone. Sidewalkers rolled up
Gazing skyward.
Settled in for a spell.
Knowing someone would remember and return, eventually.
Not exactly alone – there are attendants offering food, drinks, and grooming as needed.
But you know how it is.
Hey, where did everybody go?
A new place – no matter how nice – feels strange.
You may laugh, but I know I saw a welcoming wave when I stopped by yesterday.
It really hasn’t been that long – but to this one, time is relative.
It all blurs together –
Especially if you’ve been uprooted.
The Ghiradi Compton Oak had gotten used to all the attention and company.
Sort of like being Fresh Pressed and then letdown afterwards?
How do you expect it to feel?
Despite the awkward move at the wrong time of year, the tree is managing.
Would like to say it’s gloriously flourishing, but managing is good.
The canopy has been trimmed – and old leaves ripped off by strong winds –
But what you may not see it how much bright green growth is appearing.
Our oaks stay dressed most of the winter. (Reflecting pioneer commonsense?)
Wait! Not quite ready for my close-up. My skirts! Oh, the set’s not finished – all this clutter.
So this is encouraging.
But yeah, it’s a little scraggly.
But who isn’t at this age?
Dig in there, olde timer.
Drink up and get ready for the winter.
Lots depending on you:
birds, squirrels,
even the environment
But especially little kids who need to know nothing is impossible.
So take heart and stick it out.
We’ll never get board of you!
Rooting for the oak,
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Read the whole story of the traveling Ghirardi Compton Oak:
- “Bored? Sappy story. It’s moving.” (Save the old oak tree! Community vs the road builders)
- “Heat arresting development. Treed” (progress of move)
- “Update: Ghirardi Compton Oak Landed” (Final stage of move and it’s home. Photos)
VIDEO. Watch the 100-year-old tree move 1500 feet. Quite a feat.
Sept. 2012. Article: “Ghirardi Compton Oak is in Great Shape” (Tree company monitoring Ghirardi Oak reports)
49 Comments
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- Out on a limb « Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
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Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
Rooting for the old oak from here as well. I’m amazed a tree that size can be transplanted successfully.
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We weren’t going to let this one go without a fight…as the city found out. There’s new sidewalks at the edge of the property so even more people are able to keep an eye on it. So far so good. Thanks for branching out to chat
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Good to see that the Oak is settling in and taking root!
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Must be all the good wishes for near and far helping it. Thanks for sticking around to check on it
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Good to have an update on the tree. I am amazed it made it.
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We had reasonable rain this summer and fall – even though there’s an irrigation system, there’s nothing like real rain. Thanks for climbing over to chat
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“But especially little kids” — and the little kid in all of us.
Thanks for the update. I’ve been so worried about this grand old tree.
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It does give hope. I think it knows everyone is sending it energy and best wishes. Thanks for getting to the root of the story!
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Rooting for Oak too.
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It makes a small part of the world better. Thanks for cheering along
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Hope the oak settles into its new home and has many adventures with the squirrels and birds. 😉
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One of the Ghirardi relatives found one of the posts and contacted me. They are so happy it’s surviving and people care. This tree is important. Thanks for good wishes – will relay them to tree.
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I think this is one of the most interesting stories you’ve covered here. I’m very pleased to see that the oak is settling in so nicely. Almost like nothing amazing happened to it at all.
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In an area that lost so many trees to drought – it seems important that this old one be pampered and given a chance. Thanks for branching out to read along
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No one likes being “uprooted.” If that oak can survive it, so can we all.
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It was quite a drag to move it – but so far so good! Thanks for gathering the acorns here
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So glad to hear that the Oak is still standing strong. I’ve wondered about it several times since your posts about the move. I’m rootin’ for it too!
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Lots of new growth – so jealous that the tree keepers get to climb it. It almost looks like it was always there in that pasture. Thanks for celebrating the turn of a new leaf
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Thanks for the update on the oak. It’s good to know it is managing the change and taking on new leaves.
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The tree has turned a new leaf in several ways. Thanks for monitoring the woods
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So good to see the update on the oak. I hope the winter won’t be a stressful one so it can continue to adapt to its new surroundings. It deserves many more years now in one place!
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It’s growing. Certainly shows where there’s a will, there’s a way. Thanks – I’ll relay your encouragement to the tree
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What an amazing feat and a wonderful legacy saved. Nothing says longevity and safety like an old oak tree.
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Big dreams are achievable – something to be remembered. Thanks for tree watching
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I’m glad to see the oak is hanging in there. I hope the winter is gentle and that the tree is able to flourish in the spring. Thanks for the update…I haven’t seen this tree in person, but I’m rooting for its survival along with you.
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Seems the tree has quite a fan club. It’s standing tall. Leaves rules!Thanks for sticking around for news
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I look forward to Oak tree updates and this was another gem. Thanks!
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The tree is reaching out. Sometimes it’s important to dream big. Thanks for climbing over
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I’m so glad we avoided a real storm this year. By next hurricane season, it will be even more firmly rooted and now that we’re getting cooler temps, it should feel a little less stressed. Fingers crossed here for a wet winter!
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Normally we would have a wet winter following this summer’s weather pattern…maybe this once I won’t complain about that.
Those tree guys get to climb it – unfair! The new sidewalk/bike way is nice – once a bit cooler, we can bike all the way over to visit it. Thought it looked right at home among the hale bales. THanks for rolling over
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Such a grand tree and a wonderful perspective of it. Meanwhile, being the Self-Acclaimed Supreme Leader of High of NotFreshlyPressed Nation, I would know about the letting following FP – but I, like the oak, enjoy my majestic perch.
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I vote for trees ( and the city council members who helped save them)
On that other lofty note about your Realm…I petition to join your nation…which is the real world of posts – totally not rotten or forgotten! Aspiring to reach your heights eventually. Thanks for lumbering this way
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That’s a lot of tree to have to acclimate to its new ‘digs’. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for it as well.
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This tree has become more than its’ bark, hard wood, and leaves. Showing much is possible and dreaming big is important. (You might be interested in the recent comment on this post by Michael Ghirardi – the tree has become world famous)
Thanks for brushing up on the news
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This is great news. I wish it was global headline news instead of all the rest of it 🙂
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Yea for trees and determination! You might be interested in reading a comment left by Michael Ghirardi – the tree has become famous – even in India. Thanks for sticking around for the update
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I was wondering how the old tree was doing? Glad of the update 🙂
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It’s looks at home in the field not far from where it started. Michael Ghirardi let a few comments about it – and has mentioned growing seedlings from the tree’s acorns as a fund raiser (we had a bumper crop of acorns this year). Terrific idea.
Thanks for growing along with the tree
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Again, I tip my hat to you in thanks, good sir mouse, for keeping the story updated.
And a big thank you to everyone who has stopped by to say that this was a worthwhile effort. For all the trumpeting League City has done about it’s part to save the tree, the real credit goes to all of the people who took the time to write to council members, the press, and to show up at the vigil and numerous council meetings.
This really is the result of a group effort and one that produced a valuable outcome (at least most people see it as such, though there are (as always) a few grumpy Gus’es who see it as a waste of money, because it’s “just a tree”) that will last (hopefully) for many generations to come.
I’ve seen the tree talked about in the expected places. landscaping, arborist, forest service, and heavy equipment Facebook pages. I have also seen it show up in tractor, motorcycle, gun, corvette, and veteran forums. It was even mentioned on the Facebook page of a famous talk show host in India.
In other words, people from all over the world with a tremendous diversity of interests have discussed the tree and the community who decided to save it rather than simply bringing in the the bulldozers to topple it rather than to move it as gentle as could be.
I tell my dad about the world wide fame it has garnered and he can’t believe it. He’s a crotchety old cuss, and as techno-illiterate as they come so he would have no way to know how far this story has spread or how many different people have (and continue to) followed the details.
The tree is indeed quite healthy, all things considered and I have gathered a very large number of viable acorns I hope to germinate this spring. Perhaps these seedlings could be used in fund raising efforts to help with the upkeep of the tree in the future, not to mention it would allow other people to have one of these rare specimens to grow in their yard.
I too am jealous of the tenders who get to climb the tree and I have, more than once, gone past the barricade erected to touch the tree and sit beneath it for a while. So far, no one has said anything to me, but if they do I would likely ignore them as I mean the tree no harm as hopefully they would realize.
Again, you all have my, and my family’s, thanks!
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The tree is more than “just a tree”. It’s a journey, a symbol of how big dreams can come true, and determined hope for the future.
Readers around the world agree: the tree is important.
I was excited to see a couple of tiny oak trees sprouting around the big one. Using seedlings an excellent fundraising idea – never enough trees and these would come with heritage. A great way for newcomers / the new subdivisions to become invested in the community and become part of it.
Sure the tree is glad to see you and appreciates the visits.
Glad you stopped by and hope out paths cross again.
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Geez. Can corporate interests EVER leave well enough the hell alone? 😐 Glad that the tree won this battle.
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It was the state highway dept – and the city trying to take the easy way out to build a road. Unfortunately the one city councilwoman who fought for this tree lost reelection on Tues. We are sad as she was sensible and responsive to her people. But none will forget her efforts. Thanks for planting a comment
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Too bad. 😦 What’s her replacement like?
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That’s the weird thing – don’t know anything about her. Unfortunately, our lady (no party connection – just did a good job for years) was probably the victim of straight ticket balloting – it was a very long ballot here and maybe some just didn’t want to take the time to read it all. Hope the new one is sensible and wants to balance town growth with quality of life.
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I’m rooting for the old tree, too. It’s amazing how well trees manage even after being moved. 🙂
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THe tree is pleasant diversion from the chaos. And if it can stand and flourish, there’s hope. Thanks for branching out to chat
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