Twenty-two years ago, Ray planted 65 cork oak and California coastal oak trees around the edges and in the empty spaces of the orange grove. Now, they range from 30 to 50 feet tall and grace our property with their stately presence while providing deep shade for us in the hot summer months. Ray described his decision to do this at the time as “an act of optimism.” Indeed, it was, and that action has offered us comfort from that day until now. I very much hope these oak trees will live to their expected lifespan of 150 – 200 years, leaving a living legacy of Ray’s optimistic spirit. Below is a cinquain I wrote this morning while gazing at one of these beloved trees.

The Cork Oak

Cork oak,
Straight, split-veined trunk,
Stretching tall to the sky,
Deep-rooted bond with Mother Earth,
Wellspring.

Here are two photos of one of our many cork oak trees.