interstitialRedirectModalTitle

interstitialRedirectModalMessage

David Olney
David Olney 4 talks about the white oak. © ©Gregg Roth Studios 2013

Stories in Tennessee

If Trees Could Sing: David Olney

Singer-songwriter David Olney talks about the white oak and the benefits that trees provide us.

David Olney, a revered Nashville songwriter, passed away in January 2020 while performing onstage at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Florida. He was known as a songwriter's songwriter, a master craftsman among tunesmiths. He released more than 20 albums in his career, which began in the 1970s. His music was been featured in ABC-TV's Nashville, and his songs have been recorded by such artists as Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, Tim O'Brien and others.

More music artists talk about trees . . . 

David Olney David Olney talks about the white oak in this video for The Nature Conservancy's "If Trees Could Sing" video series.

White Oak Facts

  • Scientific name: Quercus alba
  • Range: most of the eastern United States
  • Height: up to 100 ft.
  • Fruit: egg-shaped acorns
  • Fall colors: orange, red and brown
  • Distinguishing feature: the wood inside this tree is white

You Can Take Care of Trees Like the Pin Oak

  • Plant in late fall or winter when the tree is dormant, unless the ground is frozen.
  • Allow plenty of room for the tree to mature and grow.
  • Water it regularly in its first three years.
  • Spread mulch around the base of the tree. 

Mighty Cool Tree Fact

Did you know... over the course of 50 years, a single tree can provide $62,000 worth of air pollution control?