Oak trees dubbed the “cathedrals of the natural world,” live for hundreds of years and are only formally classified as “ancient” when they reach 700 years of age. The oak family has been a part of our world for 65 million years. This long and meticulous development results in excellent wood quality and a remarkable variety of life that the trees sustain, ranging from giant mammals that feed on the acorns to a plethora of fungus species that live in a symbiotic relationship with the trees. One example of the invisible network in action is the oak feeding starch to the underground fungal network and the fungi assisting the oaks in gaining access to nutrients.
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Acorns’ long-term survival may be attributed in part to their design. The hard shell protects the seed (or, more accurately, the fruit), and naturally occurring high quantities of tannic acid guard against fungal and insect attacks.
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Up to 2300 species have been linked to oak, which doesn’t include all of the fungi, bacteria, and other microbes that share a symbiotic relationship with the tree. If you are into the numbers of it all, you’d like to know that there are 39 bird species, 716 lichens, 108 fungi, 229 bryophytes, 1178 invertebrates, and 31 mammals among the 2300 species.
Even when the oak ages and develops holes and fissures, it may benefit wildlife and serve as an ideal nesting location for various birds, including the pied flycatcher and woodpecker. (Fun fact: Woodpecker holes are perfect for bats to sleep in!)
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Wild bees and other pollinators like the trees as well. They give a similar fluid released by galls growing on the tree rather than the conventional nectar from flowers. The primary purpose for the oak’s secretion of this material is to attract insects that may defend the tree from other hazardous insects.
Finally, oaks are hit by lightning more than any other tree, according to tradition. Our ancient Druidic ancestors, who sought ‘awen,’ or inspiration, thought it came via lightning, and saw this as very important. ‘Courting the flash,’ they called this brilliant moment. Awen was supposed to be a flowing spirit or spirit energy emerging as an essence of life and causing creative inspiration and flow. As a result, the oak was greatly revered by the Druids as the conductor of global revelation.
