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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

> O.K., speaking of trees, we have a REALLY weird one on the front 3 acres. 
> It looks like an old white oak.  Has a couple of branches up towards the 
> top that look like white oak.  The bark looks like white oak.  However, it 
> has a bunch of sucker type growth at the base and in bunches hither and 
> yon up the trunk that look like someone crossed a coast oak with a holly 
> tree.  Real spiney, pokey nasty leaves!  Anyone know what the heck this 
> thing is?

It is a really, really naughty oak tree that has had relations with many 
cousins.

A few years ago I finally, with a big sigh, cut down a tall oak in the 
Heartwood front yard that was, well, ugly. It's primary value was that the 
pileated woodpeckers used it as a demonstration venue, providing much porch 
entertainment. It was impossible to determine its genetic structure, beyond 
quercus. Had characteristics of several oaks. Interbreeding does stuff like 
that. Positively shameful.

I shaped the bottom five feet into a throne, on which I sit and contemplate 
the old shack and woods beyond. My kingdom.