Acorn Sighting!

Quercus garryana acorn values study

Quercus garryana

Quercus garryana canopy

Often on my walks I stop to search through the low branches of this native Garry oak tree that over-hang the footpath, hoping to find some evidence of developing acorns.  I was excited to note tiny caps peeking out about a month ago.  Last autumn I searched the branches of many local Garry oaks and didn’t find a single acorn, or even the remains of shells lying on the ground.  I have since learned that they bear a heavier crop of acorns every other year.  So apparently this year is it!

I live near a sunny bluff that overlooks the Willamette River, where Garry oak and Pacific Madrone trees grow in abundance.  Both of these trees favor hot, well-drained sites.  Much of their former habitat in the Willamette Valley has been destroyed through development or the encroachment of Douglas fir trees, so it’s special to have so many thriving in this urban setting.

Garry oaks are trees with character.  The gray bark gets deeply craggy with age, and the massive branches ascend to make jagged patterns against the sky.  The deep green leaves have a sheen on the top, and soft hairs underneath to help hold in moisture.

I wanted to illustrate this tree last autumn while I was in the SBA course, but abandoned the plan when I couldn’t find any acorns, since the fruits are a vital part of the history and character of the tree. They were an important food source for native Americans and they support a diversity of wildlife as well.

But his year the acorns should be abundant so there is nothing stopping me now!  In preparation I did a little values study of an acorn, as you see above. More drawings to come!