Friends of Sausal Creek

by Champagne Oak

By Joan Lohman

Have you had a chance yet to count the rings of the Champagne Oak that now lies in state in Dimond Park? The California live oak tree, called Oakland's oldest oak, was cut down during Thanksgiving week and laid on the hillside above Lyons Pool. Thanks to conversations with members of the Friends of Sausal Creek and other community spokespeople, Todd Lawson and his crew from Oakland Tree Services of the Department of Public Works took special care to remove the tree in sections, laying it to rest for public view. A cross section of the tree leans against the original stump near the Boy Scout hut.

In recent weeks, the old oak has been one focus for the environmental education program run by Friends of Sausal Creek's Education Director Sue Morgan. On recent Tuesday or Thursday mornings, first, third, and fifth graders inspected the impact of recent floods, planted native plants on a hillside near the pool parking lot, removed non-native ivy, mulched the soggy trail, and inspected the old tree. The students discovered a wide variety of mushrooms stimulated by heavy rains, and winter resident birds, including a black phoebe who perches in creekside buckeyes.

These budding scientists have many opinions about why the old oak was cut down and why it was left lying in the park.

"People want to come and see it," said Ke-Ayna, 11, of Duane Wolfe's Glenview School fifth grade. "It's been here a very long time."

"It's sad it came down because it was the oldest one, like an old grandma or grandfather," said Kaneish, 11.

"Now they can count the rings and see how old it was," added Ryan, 11.

"It will rot and turn into soil and help plants grow," said Wedad, 8, from Evan Nichols' third grade at Sequoia School.

"It brought a lot of shade," said Katie, age 9, "and people will want to remember the tree."

Gelila, 9, and Nomi, 8, expressed dismay that the tree was cut down. "Our city was named for this tree," said Gelila. "Trees are living things, like people. They help us survive."

"They should have thought of other possibilities," continued Gelila. "They could have built a strong wall or fence around the tree to protect it."

Meanwhile, the tree is a lively laboratory. Melrose School fifth graders from Suki Jones' class found lichen and moss growing on the tree. They examined the growth with hand lenses and later learned from docent Eleanor Dunn (FOSC's newly elected board president) about differences between lichen and moss. They also spotted holes where a branch had been cut long ago. They guessed the holes were made by woodpeckers or insects.

"Even though it's dead, it can still be a house for animals," said Carmen, 8, from Mr. Wolfe's class.

Metro-area residents are welcome to visit the tree and get close to this ancient being. Estimates of the tree's age have run from 100 to 300 years. At publication time, no one has yet reported counting the rings.