The Colonial Williamsburg Compton Oak

by Lois Bryan

Title

The Colonial Williamsburg Compton Oak

Artist

Lois Bryan

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

On an April day, a visit to Colonial Williamsburg often begins at Market Square for us. As we enter the grounds of the Living History Museum, one of the first things that greets our eyes, just behind the Courthouse and across the street from the Gissell Hay Lodging House, is a massive oak tree.

In early, early spring the leaves are just fleshing out … the soft feathery greens will soon turn emerald and will bring welcome coolness and shade to summertime visitors and residents. Benches beneath the welcoming branches will be a popular destination when the weather and humidity levels rise later in the year. But for now, we can enjoy the majesty of the intricate branches, the pale greens of the leaves with the blue skies peeping through in the coolness of April.

The Compton Oak, a natural hybrid (meaning created by Mother Nature) of the Live Oak and the Overcup Oak, is a rarity … and is considered a Virginia State Champion Tree. It is believed that the tree was transplanted to Colonial Williamsburg by C. Justus Brouwers, the first landscape superintendent for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. It's said he found the tree during a walk in the Pungo woods near Virginia Beach, Virginia and that he transplanted it to Williamsburg sometime between 1932 and 1936.

You can see my image of the Colonial Williamsburg Courthouse in my portfolio here:

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-colonial-williamsburg-courthouse-lois-bryan.html

Fine art and product purchases of this image will not include a watermark, and if I may make a recommendation ... wall art options will look their very best on the fine art paper choice of "picture rag."

Image captured April 2018 with the Nikon D7000 and the 18-200mm Nikkor. This image was NOT created using AI - Artificial Intelligence programs.



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October 21st, 2023

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