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Falling in Silence
Chief Ranger Brad Thomas reflects on the loss of the Majestic Oak who lived for 265 years:
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it fall, does it make a sound? At York River State Park the answer to this age old question is a resounding “No.”
The park lost an iconic figure to its 40 mile trail system on July 13, 2016. The silent sentinel in the form of a White Oak tree (Quercus alba) has at last fallen.
The once majestic oak; of which the trail it hailed upon is named, stood for an estimated 265 years.
Some say it could even have been a sapling when Powhatan and Pocahontas roamed these very woods. Its giant 8 foot diameter statue stood 79 feet tall in its glory days and its vast canopy stretched 58 feet wide. Even with its enormous structure, in the end its hollowed out core clung to life by only a thin thread of wood about 4 inches thick.
The iconic Majestic Oak
I always admired that tree. Being the park’s Chief Ranger for 18 years I saw my two daughters grow up under the shade of its unfailing branches. Living on site, my family and I would take many a walk out to its grandeur just to give it “a hug.” My oldest even wrote a poem about it for her 7th grade literature class entitled: “If trees could talk the tales they’d tell.”
Canopy opening from the Majestic Oak
But silence is golden and silent this tree will forever be.
Ancient of Trees stood for possibly 265 years
It’s ironic to think that as Virginia State Parks celebrate their 80th year of existence (the Oak Anniversary) one of its parks has lost a dear oak to time. An old native folk story states “the death of the old gives life to the new.” But as the forest awaits the new, this old oak for now will be missed by park staff and guest alike for many years to come, I’m sure.
Farewell old friend
So now when one ventures out on the Majestic Oak Trail at York River State Park one may feel a sense of reverence for what once was. Because for now they will not be greeted by the once great oak tree standing at trails end but instead by all the other trees around it that stand silent in respectful vigil to their fallen comrade.
Gone, but not forgotten
Directions to York River State Park: From I-64, take the Croaker Exit 231B. Go north on Route 607 (Croaker Rd.) for one mile, then right on Route 606 (Riverview Rd.) about one and a half miles to the park entrance. Take a left turn into the park.
If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.
Above the ground some distance down from a cliff edge, hikers would look at signs and symbols. Which "may have looked like large letters" the roots shaped from rain running of those old roots for centuries to carve out a natural book or pictograph. The tree must've had roots exposed on a cliff in order to do what could seem like a giant hand. This place is Goats Bluff on the Illinois River. Also the area where plenty of white oaks do exists. Beautiful.
