140

F

rom late spring to early fall the town of San Saba—which sits at almost

the geographic center of the state of Texas—often contends with daytime

temperatures of more than 100 degrees. The cool shelter provided by this

tree’s broad and dense canopy is a year-round blessing for locals because, unlike

other deciduous oak trees, live oaks are semi-evergreen, which means they remain

green all winter long, dropping their leaves only when new ones have begun to sprout.

San Saba proudly calls itself the “Pecan Capital of the World,” as its rich bounty of

pecan trees drew immigrants and Native Americans alike. Legend states that this

live oak was an important site for the region’s indigenous people; it was often used

for tribal council meetings and, most memorably, marriage ceremonies—hence its

longtime moniker, the Wedding Oak, or alternately, the Matrimonial Oak. White

settlers adopted the tradition, traveling to the Wedding Oak by horse and buggy

to perform their vows under the boughs of the historic tree. The custom continues

today, though brides and grooms are conveyed to the oak by a more modern means

of transport.

THE WEDDING OAK

ESCARPMENT LIVE OAK (

Quercus fusiformis

)

San Saba, Texas