Shingle Oak-Quercus imbricaria

Ponder This:

Psalm 29 is a hymn of praise and power. The author David tries to convey the idea of God’s omnipotence using the awesome power of an oncoming storm. The type of storm we know very well in the Midwest. Verse 9 reads: The Voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forest bare. And in his temple all cry “Glory”. (NIV) Your version of the Bible may translate that verse quite differently but the context is clear: Our God is all-powerful.

It isn’t hard to fathom that kind of power looking at this tree. Look closely at the bark of these trees. Notice the striation - almost as if the tree was twisted as it grew. Think of the magnitude of the storm upon storm that caused those marks. And yet the Bible tells us that with only His voice, our God can make even the majestically strong oak into kindling.

Starting in the earliest of time, during the time of the Old Testament, and continuing today, the worship of trees, and plants, and rocks was prevalent. In discovering the natural beauty of the world, we have made a mistake. A mistake that God reminds us of in this chapter and with this very old oak – we worship the wrong thing when we worship the created instead of the creator.

We serve a mighty God - a God that is the author of all we see. When we look at nature with that sure understanding, His fingerprints are everywhere.

Learn More:

Quercus imbricaria, the Shingle Oak, is a deciduous tree in the Red Oak group of oaks. It is a native primarily to the Midwestern and Upper South regions of North America. Shingle Oak is native to Illinois and to part of the Chicago region. This tree is not easily recognized as an oak due to an atypical, unlobed leaf. Generally, it is slow growing, but in the right conditions it can grow two to three feet a year. As the tree matures the bark becomes scaly and peels off, exposing orange and red hues. Its leaves cling to the tree through most of the winter, creating ideal dens for squirrels. Shingle Oak was given its name for its ability to produce a quality, durable split-shake shingle. Due to its resistance to Dutch Elm Disease and its tolerance to urban conditions, this tree can be found in many cityscapes.