Memories of California Oaks
Original watercolor by Sherri Pinero. All rights reserved. To reproduce, please obtain permission by emailing SherriPineroRD@gmail.com.
Growing up in California, native giant oak trees were abundant. In fact, at one time they covered 1/3 of my home state. I have many core memories of oak trees in scenes from my childhood.
My maternal grandparents had giant oak trees in their front and backyard in Southern California. One in particular in the backyard had a giant broad canopy of leafy branches that provided so much beauty and shade during hot summer days. That oak tree created a natural charm and became a centerpiece for many family gatherings. Even as a child, I could feel its presence and comfort.
Oak trees were and still are part of neighborhood streets, in parks, along highways, and in green spaces. I grew up where giant oaks enveloped streets and created such character that is absent in more modern communities. Instead, many non-native trees are planted, including exotic palm tree species.
As a child, I’d drive hours with my family up the coast from Southern California to the central coast to visit my paternal grandparents. Oak trees covered hills were common along the 240-mile stretch. Along country roads, oak trees made their presence and acorns covered the land below.
Squirrels are an important part of an oak’s survival. Acorns are not only a staple in their diet, squirrels and oak trees are part of an ecosystem that symbiotically works together. Squirrels help oaks flourish by burying the fruit which helps to create seedlings.
Did you know that acorns are also edible for humans? That was something I never knew growing up amongst oaks. Acorns were a staple in indigenous people’s diets where they made flour into bread as well as using acorns in many different meals.
As with many cultural ingredients, acorns helped connect food to people and thus generations of intimate stories and love for nature’s givings developed. There is so much rich history about California’s native oaks. For more news and history visit:
https://www.nurturenativenature.com/post/the-squirrel-and-acorn-connection
https://www.ourcityforest.org/blog/2020/7/a-brief-history-and-guide-to-californias-native-oaks
https://ca.audubon.org/conservation/how-plant-oak-tree-acorn
https://ca.audubon.org/conservation/help-preserve-oak-woodlands
