Back to Beck’s majestic live oaks
Two days into no power and no heat, with shattered trees making a dangerous obstacle course around our house, and all this coming just two years after Snowpocalypse, I packed a bag, picked up Mom and her dog from her cold, dark apartment, and headed to Houston to stay with family a few days. What a good mental health decision that was! Not only from seeing family and enjoying the comforts of electricity, but visiting the majestic, 400-year-old live oaks at Becks Prime (the Augusta Dr. location) again.
Ahhh, unbroken trees in all their glory!
I first blogged about these incredible trees last August. This time, in early February, I noticed ferns colonizing the trees’ snaking, horizontal limbs. I imagine they are cool-weather plants, showing up in winter and going dormant in summer.
The ferns add a green, hanging-garden effect to the magnificent trees. Update: They are resurrection ferns (Pleopeltis polypodioides). Thanks to Pam (on Facebook) and James (in the comments) for the ID.
As we sat beneath them, enjoying our lunch, a determined little visitor pulled up a seat next to ours, and snagged a fry.
We couldn’t begrudge him. It was too beautiful a day, and we were embraced by these beautiful trees.
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Digging Deeper
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Glad you and Mom and pup took a break from all that ice damage with no electricity. It feels so good to get away from that siege mode!
Yes, it sure did. And I was better prepared to tackle cleanup once our home had its power restored.
Thank you so much for the inspirational pix of those majestic oaks!
As a transplant from Wisconsin some five years ago, I instantly fell in love with these native trees and was heartbroken to witness the catastrophic effects of the most recent ice storm.
I’m heartened however, as I see just how many have survived in our area— a true testament to their incredible resilience.
The live oaks define Central Texas for me. They are survivors, for sure.
The ferns on the trees are probably resurrection fern. You might be interested in reading about it.
Thanks for the ID, James. I’ll add it to the post.
I think James Smith is correct about the Resurrection Fern, now Pleopeltis polypoidioides. It is green and plumped up when moist and dries up to conserve moisture when the weather is dry. It grows on old live oaks on the southeastern coast — Charleston, Beaufort and Savannah — as well.
I think so too and have added the ID to the post. Thanks for confirming! They’re a beautiful fringe for these beautiful trees.
I was so sorry to read about all the damage to your trees and garden. That was such a mess. I was traveling with friends in the aftermath, trying to go through DFW airport on the way to Hawaii. Luckily we didn’t have any cancelled flights, only delayed. I hope your trees and agaves recover.
Thanks, Lisa. It’s going to take time, but I’m hopeful.
So glad you were able to appreciate these trees again and have a respite from power outages.
These trees helped me forget about my own tree woes. 🙂