An Ode to (Scrub) Oak

tanjabrittonwriter 61 Comments

When it comes to fall foliage in Colorado, Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides) garner most of the enthusiasm, and rightly so. But the majority of the state’s aspen grow only in the higher reaches of the montane zone between 8,000 and 10,000 feet (2,400 to 3,000 meters) and their glory is often short-lived. Fortunately for those of us who dwell along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, between 6,000 and 8,000 feet (1,800 to 2,400 meters), our trees and shrubs also change into their autumnal apparel, and typically do so after the aspen leaves have fluttered to the ground, which gives us the opportunity to enjoy an extended and second autumn of sorts.

One of the signature trees or shrubs that characterize our foothill flora is a species of scrub oak, named Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii), named for William Gambel (1823-1849), American botanist, ornithologist, and naturalist. Mature heights range from 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 meters) but have been known to reach nearly 60 feet (18 meters). The trees’ leathery, oak-shaped leaves with rounded lobes provide a verdant backdrop to the summer hillsides without drawing much attention to themselves.

One could consider them shrinking violets (make that oaks), but they are wonderfully adapted to the arid environment they grow in and offer shelter and sustenance to numerous creatures—think fatty, high-caloric acorns. And after the chlorophyll breaks down, the pigments that lay silent and hidden in the leaves all summer long finally have their moment on stage, and they sing, sparkle, and shimmer brilliantly.

To enlarge a photo, click on it.

So it was on this October 24, when we took a hike at our local Cheyenne Mountain State Park, located not ten minutes from our doorstep by car. The sun shone brightly and only a few wispy clouds drifted across the Columbine-colored sky adorned with a waning moon. As we followed the trails up and down the contours of the land, our gaze drifted near and far to take in the glorious scenery dominated by Cheyenne Mountain, with pockets of multi-hued oaks here and there, whose shades ranged from green to yellow, orange, and rust.

Autumn has seemed particularly colorful and lengthy this year but with the night temperatures finally starting to drop into the freezing zone and brisk winds shaking the branches, the vibrant leaves won’t be long for this world. It’s good to get outside to absorb as much warmth and color as possible before the first blizzard will make an appearance.

🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

PS: For the foreseeable future, I will post twice a week. On Mondays, I will create new-ish, and on Thursdays re-post older material.

61 thoughts on “An Ode to (Scrub) Oak”

  1. Thank you for this insight – I suppose I must have seen scrub oaks when visiting your part of the US, but never recognised them as such. Handsome little trees, aren’t they, and the clear blue sky in your photos sets them off perfectly.

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    • Herzlichen Dank für den netten Kommentar, lieber Ernst.

      Ich wünsche Dir, daß die Behandlung erfolgreich ist, und daß es Dir wieder besser gehen wird. Und ebenso hoffe ich, daß Du Zeit in der Natur verbringen kannst, denn das ist auch therapeutisch.

      Ich wünsche Dir alles Gute!

      Herzlichst,

      Tanja

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  5. Lovely photographs, Tanja. Those oaks are spectacular. The altitudes of even your foothills always amazes me. I live just a few meters above sea level, and even our highest mountain, Ben Nevis, considered a monster, tops out at just over four thousand four hundred feet. Reading about such vast wilderness areas, doing well and so beautiful, gives me hope for the rest of the planet.

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    • Thank you, Michael. After living here for a while, one doesn’t think about the altitude too much, but it is more noticeable after traveling to a lower elevation.

      We are fortunate to have access to some amazing wild spaces but unfortunately, the city and county where we reside is intent on development for development’s sake, which is short-sighted, saddening, and upsetting. We are losing too many natural places to residential and commercial construction (my apologies for adding this sobering fact).

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      • It’s a familiar theme, Tanja. We have so many former industrial sites that could be redeveloped instead, vacant shopping malls, and hollowed out towns, but still this ongoing consumption of the wild places, as if it is a sin to leave them untouched.

        Liked by 1 person

      • The attitude “undeveloped land is wasted land” is still far too prevalent, but we “develop” it at our own peril. We know this yet this short-sighted approach continues. The necessary change in our collective consciousness is not happening on a big enough scale to make enough of a difference. 😢

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    • Yes, oaks are very versatile. The fall colors are wonderful but I also like seeing the bare branches twisting this way and that in winter when all the leaves are gone.

      We are very fortunate to have this state park so close to home. It has become one of our favorite hiking destinations.

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  13. Beautiful photos and such gorgeous colors! We’re still warm, but rain is in the forecast. It’s hard for me to imagine nighttime temps near freezing, but we’ve had our first freezes on some 10/31s and 11/1s. Just not this year!

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    • Thank you, Tina. Our temperatures have been above average and we have had only two freezing nights so far, which is unusual. In many years we see by now and some is in the forecast for this coming Wednesday. We shall see. It has also been too dry, so the moisture would be very welcome.

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  18. I never contemplate oaks of any sort without remembering a song we were taught in grade school. I’ve searched for the full lyrics without finding them, but I remember the beginning of the song, which goes: “Dry brown oak leaves shiver in the woodlands/not a bird or flow’r is seen/but instead of them, bright and beautiful/shines the holly leaf, gay and green.” It’s a wonderful reminder that the favorite aspects of any season — like the color of these scrub oaks — may disappear, but there’s always something new waiting to be appreciated.

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    • That sounds like a wonderful, insightful song. I wonder if you appreciated its truths as a child already. I’m fairly certain that I wouldn’t have–I was not very interested in nature and seasonal changes. Now I’m grateful to know that each season does indeed have its own treasures.

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    • Vielen Dank, liebe Ira. Wir sind hier mit über 300 Sonnentagen im Jahr sehr sonnenverwöhnt. Als Kind in Deutschland haben mir Regen und trübe Tage im Herbst und Winter nichts ausgemacht, aber wenn wir das jetzt erleben, vermissen wir die Sonne und den blauen Himmel sehr.

      Sei herzlich gegrüßt und bleib bei der Witterung gesund.

      Tanja

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    • It’s so interesting to learn about the different species of oaks. Like people, each has its own character.
      An oak with green leaves in the summer and brown leaves in the winter is still much better than no oak. 😊

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  23. Love the photos! The one of the moon is spectacular, and who doesn’t love some good fall foliage? I’m actually up in northern Utah so not too different than Colorado. Things have been busy at my shop, but your photos and the cold, crisp air is reminding to get out and experience some of the joys of a rocky mountain fall before it’s too late. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. Beautiful photos and writing. So interesting about the quaking aspens. My neighbor’s is still decked out in gold today (10/30) and we’re only at 837 feet. I love oak trees. We don’t have Gambel’s oak in Minnesota, so it’s interesting to learn about them. My favorite local oak species is probably northern red oak. Some years the leaves turn a brilliant, deep red. Thanks for your informative post!

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    • Thank you, Beth. I love all the trees in their beautiful fall foliage and it’s nice to have an extended display at our lower elevation after the aspen higher up have already shut down for the year.
      I’m not surprised that your neighbor’s aspen is still wearing gold. Ours was, too, until the arrival o fierce winds yesterday and today.

      There are so many different species of oaks. your Minnesota variety sounds lovely. Enjoy the fall colors while they last!

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  25. These oaks are absolutely beautiful with the sun glowing through their autumn leaves. How lucky we are that autumn brings low-angled sunlight to let us enjoy these leaves at their delightful best. 🍂

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  27. I have to say, I absolutely love your Aspen falls – just gorgeous. I also enjoy a good fall oak and the myriad of fall colors they bring. Bitter sweet, of course, for soon after their relatively short time in splendor I’m left with the fallout – it is amazing how heavy those delicate leaves can get ha.

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    • Yes, our changing aspens are amazing. But all fall foliage is fabulous and we try to absorb as much of the colors as possible before all the leaves come off.

      I think it’s good to have a relaxed attitude when it comes to fallen leaves. After all, nature has always recycled them and turned them into fertilizer for the coming year. Which is what we should do, at least with most of them.

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