A tree that is walking with a crutch. Perhaps just a precaution, yet unusual, as everyone has tried pitifully to split the roots at some point to dig deeper some- where. Even with a spade, it’s a sweaty job.
I learned that the oak is always firmly rooted, even if everything else around it
crumbles.
But here, openly in need of help, because of wind and other factors, as the tree was hastily planted.
After recovery and only if the roots take hold, the crutch can disappear. Then the tree is allowed to spread out like people in old age. Headwinds no longer bother. Only the spade could still cause harm. But the spade is not necessary because the tree is done now and doesn’t want to spread out anymore.