This Coast Live Oak is approx. 500 years old. The hollow center is an intentionally burned silo that can be used for acorn/food storage.
Indigenous people intentionally burn Oaks to stimulate growth, good development of acorns, resistance to disease/insects and to maintain the overall health of the tree.
These Ancestor Trees are the living memories of harmonious traditional Indigenous stewardship. The majority of trees that show hollow centers with fire scars are intentionally burned.
