On Sun, 8 Jul 2007 19:29:43 -0400, "symplastless"
wrote:

BTW
Regarding water and the requirements of live oak. If you look at the wood
of a live oak in the cross section the vessels within the increment appear
as upside down tornados. The tree is a ring porous trees. Thus stating
that the tree takes in large amounts of water during the time of the early
or spring wood and then a moderate amount of water during the time of the
latewood or summer wood. Too much water about the woody roots could
stimulate woody root decay or root rot. Just a thought.

Our local live oak, _Q. fusiformis_, is diffuse-porous, as is _Q.
virginiana_. So I've been told, anyway, by a reputable source, and it
fits what I've seen of the trees.

Keith Babberney
ISA Certified Arborist #TX-0236AT
(in Austin, where this thread originated)