The oak: King of trees

The oak has always been the royal tree. Not only because the timber has for centuries been used for warships and therefore belonged to the Swedish commander-in-chief, the king, but also because of the way it grows – in relation to its surroundings. No other trees, not even a small bush, can grow in the shade of an oak. An oak grove might have some herbs and acorns for company, but that’s all. This oak grove is in Örsåsa, a small village in Småland, Sweden.