I had never seen this massive tree in person, and didn't even know that it was as close as Columbia, until Tyler called to see if we wanted to meet at the tree for a picnic the family. On our last leg of the trip home from Tennessee, we thought it was a great opportunity. While the others played and ate their lunches, I sat on the tailgate and sketched this beauty. Burr Oaks are one of my favorite trees with their fiery red fall color and very large fringe capped acorns. This tree is thought to be 350 to 400 years old, tied with another tree for the largest of it's species in the country. It's only half a mile from the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark would have seen this already massive tree when exploring this new frontier. It was struck by lightening two years ago, so now wears lightening cables running to ground. She's lost s few of her glorious spreading branches, too. But she still stands, huge and regal, through all these many years. I'm so happy we got to picnic here today. Painting number 5137 in 5137 days.
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