No other tree, the author says, played such an integral role in the creation and development of human civilization.
"The oak's distinction is its insistence and its flexibility," he says. 'It specializes in not specializing.'
...No other tree, he says, played such an integral role in the creation and development of human civilization.We ate the acorns (and in some places still do). We used oak wood to build houses and furniture, as well as the boats that sailed from Europe to the New World. We extracted tannins from oak bark to tan leather, and we've turned to oak galls to make the ink in which the great works of European art and poetry, as well as the American Constitution, are written."
Thanks to Laura Kranz
FULL STORY: The oak tree as unsung hero

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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