.Vivianne

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This oak allee' at Evergreen Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana, still shows damage from Hurricane Gustav that roared through southeast Louisiana. Oak allees were quite common in the 1800's when vast tracts of land were owned by one person. Usually, there was a beautiful house at the end of the allee. When the huge tracts were divided and modern subdivisions took over, many of the gorgeous ancient oaks were destroyed. It is estimated that these oaks are over 500 years old. A live oak is a very hard wood, sturdy tree that spreads its roots wide and clings to the earth. Many a life has been saved in a hurricane when people tied themselves to a live oak to survive the wind and water. Had it not been for the live oaks in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, the City would have been naked, indeed, because all the other types of trees were either uprooted or destroyed by the salt water intrusion. There is a special Society for these trees, known as the Live Oak Society. All the members are trees. It can be viewed at www.louisianagardenclubs.org and click on Live Oak Society.