In our diligence to clear the land and make room for the progress of agriculture, we have eliminated most of our forests. There are a few spots in our fields where an isolated tree has been spared from the axe and saw. Such a solitary tree can be found in many peculiar places: an old, private cemetery; along a fence row; even in the middle of prime quail habitat.

Quail country is quite often neglected land that is too hilly or has soil too poor to support crops, so it reverts to brush, weeds and grasses. For some reason, this tree was left when the land was cleared, and the quail have gathered around it to roost and rest when not looking for food or water.

It is not a spectacular tree, maybe not even beautiful, but it has character, having weathered storms and a lightning strike, and having clung to life through the changing landscape.

The quail covey call it home.

- Maynard Reece