By Mary Reid Barrow

When Brent James, LRNow’s Notable Tree Program founder, first saw this huge cherrybark oak tree in a Blackwater half dozen or so years ago, he was blown away.

Though it certainly was not the first big tree Brent had seen in his travels around the city, he knew he was seeing a tree of a different magnitude altogether.

“I came around the bend in the road,” he said, “and it was as if the clouds had parted and the angels were singing, it was really impressive!”

Brent quickly realized that he was probably seeing the oldest and largest living thing in Virginia Beach. He will tell such stories about this beauty and other local Notable Trees at a LRNow program from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday at the Brock Environmental Center. He will talk about the importance of saving our old trees and planting new ones.

Brent will be joined by Brian Renne of Bartlett Tree Experts who will offer practical guidance on tree care and proper pruning to keep your trees healthy.

In essence, the 500-year-old cherrybark oak went on to spark a focus on trees in a big way at LRNow. Around that time, we developed a Plant for the Future logo featuring a tree in the center and printed logo bookmarks chock full of tree facts.

The Keneth Greif Tree Fund was established by LRNow Board Member Andrew Fine and his wife Barbara. The fund was named in honor of Kenneth Greif, the Fines’ old friend, who passed away and left them an unexpected bequest in his will.

LRNow also began planting trees in a big way–about 4,000 of them, by now–in low lying areas that needed protection from flooding. We began education programs about how trees work hand in hand with wetlands to protect low lying Virginia Beach from the effects of climate change.

Tree roots soak excess water from the ground and their leaves take pollutants from the air and shade us from the sun, just to name a few assets.

The present owners of the land where the cherrybark oak grows purchased the property precisely because of the tree and they have treasured it ever since, Brent said. The tree was an eye popping sight not only for them and for Brent, but it is a wakeup call to most of us who have seen it.

Just think. This beautiful tree stands in solitary splendor in the middle of a field. As you can see in this photo by Pam Monahan, with its ripped, muscular bark, the tree seems ready to face any obstacle, and its roots, ready to engulf anything in its path.

It sends a message to us to nurture trees in our own yards, not only to protect the land and air but also to leave something behind so our great, great grandchildren might see a tree that makes the angels sing too.

Learn more at the Tree Program, which is free and open to the public. Donations will benefit the Kenneth Greif Tree Fund.