A year in the life of a tree: Ancient German oak tree is pictured changing through summer, winter, spring and autumn in fascinating photographs

  • Stunning photographs capture an ancient German oak tree as it changes and morphs through its yearly cycle  
  • The pictures taken of the same tree in Westerwald, Germany, show its changes through the different seasons
  • Ingo Gerlach shot in magnificent range of weather conditions, through bitter-cold snow and scorching heat

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These stunning pictures show how an ancient oak tree morphs through the seasons and adapts to the changing conditions.

The majestic oak can be seen as it changes from being bushy and green in summer, to having its golden brown leaves of autumn, before becoming bare and snow-covered as winter sets in.

Incredible images depicting a whole year in the life of the tree have been showcased in a series of 12 shots taken by photographer Ingo Gerlach.

The 65-year-old took the snaps over a one year period, showing the tree as it withstands the test of time.

The nature photographer shot the tree in a magnificent range of weather conditions, capturing the shrub through the bitter-cold snow and scorching heat. 

The photos were taken in Westerwald, Germany throughout 2018 - beginning in January and ending in December.   

The ancient oak tree pictured at the start of its documented journey through time, which began in January 2018 with snow on the ground and bare white branches

The ancient oak tree pictured at the start of its documented journey through time, which began in January 2018 with snow on the ground and bare white branches

By February even more snow had covered the ancient oak and snow was lying thick on the ground with only sparse tufts of long grass poking through the white of the snow

By February even more snow had covered the ancient oak and snow was lying thick on the ground with only sparse tufts of long grass poking through the white of the snow

Just a month later in March the scene had completely changed and its metamorphosis was in full swing, with the thick white snow replaced by lush green grass and spouting yellow flowers

Just a month later in March the scene had completely changed and its metamorphosis was in full swing, with the thick white snow replaced by lush green grass and spouting yellow flowers

As spring set in by April the tree had sprouted even more brown leaves and had become much more bushy across nearly all the branches of the tree - which sits in a field in Westerwald, Germany, near the river Rhine

As spring set in by April the tree had sprouted even more brown leaves and had become much more bushy across nearly all the branches of the tree - which sits in a field in Westerwald, Germany, near the river Rhine

By May the tree's golden and brown leaves of spring had been replaced by lush green colours as the heat of summer approached. Photographer Mr Gerlach, from Betzdorf, Germany, said: 'I love this tree. The oak is a natural monument and protected'

By May the tree's golden and brown leaves of spring had been replaced by lush green colours as the heat of summer approached. Photographer Mr Gerlach, from Betzdorf, Germany, said: 'I love this tree. The oak is a natural monument and protected'

In June the temperature had risen and sunlight increased to make the conditions perfect for the tree to bloom, with even the grass in the field growing at its fastest rate

In June the temperature had risen and sunlight increased to make the conditions perfect for the tree to bloom, with even the grass in the field growing at its fastest rate

July saw the sunlight start to dissipate as the bright green colours of June made way for the darker, more emerald tones, of the later summer months

July saw the sunlight start to dissipate as the bright green colours of June made way for the darker, more emerald tones, of the later summer months

During the last summer month of August the gathering clouds around the ancient oak took on a richer, more yellow complexion at the bottom as the bright green patches began to morph into a darker shade around the higher branches

During the last summer month of August the gathering clouds around the ancient oak took on a richer, more yellow complexion at the bottom as the bright green patches began to morph into a darker shade around the higher branches

As the last rays of summer sun glisten on the majestic oak tree, the month of September saw the beginnings of the tree's decline back to its autumnal state, as bare patches begin to show 

As the last rays of summer sun glisten on the majestic oak tree, the month of September saw the beginnings of the tree's decline back to its autumnal state, as bare patches begin to show 

Just a month later in October the tree's full green leaves were now brown and bare as the foliage began to fall and more branches were visible

Just a month later in October the tree's full green leaves were now brown and bare as the foliage began to fall and more branches were visible

November saw the tree in the full grip of winter as the cloudy sky left a ghostly air descend on the oak. Mr Gerlach added: 'I marked the place for myself and set up a tripod each time'

November saw the tree in the full grip of winter as the cloudy sky left a ghostly air descend on the oak. Mr Gerlach added: 'I marked the place for myself and set up a tripod each time'

December saw the tree come full circle and again was covered in snow. Mr Gerlach, who is also a graphic designer, snapped the tree using a Nikon camera with a 24mm wide angle

December saw the tree come full circle and again was covered in snow. Mr Gerlach, who is also a graphic designer, snapped the tree using a Nikon camera with a 24mm wide angle

Four seasons in one picture (top left, summer, top right autumn, bottom left, spring and bottom right winter)

Four seasons in one picture (top left, summer, top right autumn, bottom left, spring and bottom right winter)

 

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