Oscar/200 yr Chinquapin Oak

Description

This massive chinquapin oak, nicknamed “Oscar”, loomed as a stately landmark for about 250 years in Winchester, Virginia. If you look closely, you can see railroad spikes driven into the tree’s trunk, which helped generations of children climb up into its branches.

In 2006, the residents of the new subdivision that surrounded “Oscar” banded together to try and save the tree from destruction. The developer wanted to cut “Oscar” down to make room for another house. Sadly in 2009 the residents lost their battle to preserve the old tree, and all that remains is a tall stump. This painting is dedicated to Oscar.