Dietrich: The Man Obsessed with Seeking Out Remarkable Trees
In a world dominated by rapid urbanization and technology, there are those who still maintain a profound connection with nature. Alabama’s Sean Dietrich, a seasoned columnist and author, is one such person.
Dietrich: The Tree Enthusiast
Dietrich’s affinity for trees was cultivated within him during his early years spent in the Boy Scouts. Even after all these years, the fascination remains. From longleaf pines, the flagship trees in Florida of which only three percent remain, to the Angel Oak in Charleston, South Carolina; the east of Mississippi’s oldest oak, Dietrich values the fortitude of trees that endure and thrive despite austere conditions of earthly life.
The Angel Oak
The Angel Oak, an awe-inspiring spectacle, sits just outside Charleston, South Carolina. It stands proud at 65 feet tall, with a circumference of 28 feet. The branches span out over 17,000 square feet, with the largest one extending out to 187 feet. This tree, estimated to be over 500 years old, predates Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
The Methuselah Tree
Dietrich’s tree-seeking journeys have also led him to the Methuselah tree in the Inyo National Forest, cloistered between the Sierra Nevada range on the California-Nevada border. Living up to its biblical namesake, this tree clocks in at a staggering 4,853 years old, making it not only the oldest tree on Earth but also the oldest known living organism. In order to protect this remarkable ancient tree from vandalism, its exact location remains a well-kept secret.
His Favourite: The Thomasville Oak in Georgia
The heart of Dietrich’s arbor admiration belongs to a 338-year-old Quercus virginiana (live oak) standing royally on East Monroe Street in Thomasville, Georgia. With its limbs spanning 165 feet and encompassing in green resurrection ferns, this tree has a base with a 26-feet circumference. Every detail of this tree, from its intricate underground and above-ground watering systems to the steel cables providing support for heavy limbs, to its dedicated personnel including an arborist, a surgeon, and even its own IRS agent, contribute to its robustness.
The Power of Trees
Trees offer more than just shady respite on a sunny day or a perch for birds to roost. For Dietrich, and many others like him, trees symbolize strength, endurance, and the simple beauty of nature. Trees have an inherent power that inspires awe and introspection in those who take the time to truly see them.
Special Trees: Cornerstones of Emotional Connection
Trees can also be the anchors of meaningful, emotional connections. For instance, take the tale of Lucinda Secrest McDowell, a native of Thomasville, Georgia. Lucinda was born under the shade of the very same live oak that holds Dietrich’s admiration. Despite her ongoing battle with serious illness, Lucinda continues to read Dietrich’s works actively. It is through the shared reverence for this oak that led to their friendship, showing how trees can, quite literally, root people together.
Conclusion
From their ecological importance to their ability to foster emotional connections, trees hold a special place in the world around us, and people like Dietrich continue to remind us of their intrinsic value. Their enduring strength and beauty serve as a silent testament to the resilience of life on Earth, inspiring awe, respect, and, on occasion, camaraderie among their human admirers.
