Bastion and Beauty of America’s Frontier The Live Oak Tree: TAKE A BREAK
Live oaks, the state trees of Georgia, are iconic for their large branches, which bear beautiful green foliage and Spanish moss. Although live oak trees are not native to New England, the tree carries an important history and purpose in North America. Native along the coast from Virginia to Florida, and as far west as Oklahoma and Texas, live oak trees are members of the beech family. They can grow to be anywhere from 65–85 feet tall and weigh in at 55 pounds per cubic foot when air dried. This makes live oak the heaviest American hardwood. The leaves of live oak trees are evergreen and stay on the trees until new ones replace them. The live oak tree serves as the backbone of its ecosystem, providing both shade and a habitat for many living things, including birds, insects, and mammals. The tree produces acorns, which feeds many mammals, insects, and birds as well. Live oaks symbolize strength, safety, and resilience in the United States. For early Americans, the tree provided shade and shelter, and their strong and dense timber was used to build many things, including ships. In fact, it was so popular to craft wooden vessels with that the Navy had its own live oak forest at one point. Live oak lumber was utilized to construct the USS Constitution. The ship was so strong, thanks to the live oak wood, that it was nicknamed “Old Ironsides.” The Native Americans even used to extract oil from the acorns and utilized it (similar to the way that we use olive oil today). They are truly majestic trees with a history deeply rooted in our cultural and ecological heritage. Having been around for many years, live oaks have seen a lot and certainly will be around for many more years to come, providing shade, beauty, and durable lumber.
One-Pan Veggies and Chicken
Inspired by Tasty.co
What’s better than a healthy, seasonal dinner? How about one that requires minimal effort, too? Ingredients
• 1 sweet potato, cubed
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 apples, sliced
• 1 tbsp rosemary
• 4 chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp thyme
• 4 tbsp olive oil
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. On a baking sheet, add potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and apples. Layer chicken thighs on top. 3. Drizzle with olive oil. Then season with salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. 4. Turn chicken over and add seasoning to the back side. Return skin-side up before baking. 5. Bake for 30 minutes, and broil for 5–10 minutes afterward.
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