Saturday, August 27, 2005

Big Tree Park


Big Tree Park
Originally uploaded by klbarrus.
Time to get out and explore some of the local attractions. I found this small park in nearby Longwood, Florida, home to a very old and tall bald cypress tree. In 1929, president Coolidge visited and dedicated a plaque, which was stolen by vandals in the 1950s and never recovered.



The Senator
Originally uploaded by klbarrus.
Here is the main attraction, a large bald cypress tree nicknamed "the Senator". This tree is about 3500 years old, 83 feet tall (it was 118 feet tall in 2001 but lost some height due to hurricanes and lightning strikes since then) and 35 feet in circumference (at the base). Nearby the Senator is a companion tree nicknamed "Lady Liberty", which is 2000 years old and 89 feet tall. Lady Liberty is considerably slimmer than the Senator, with a svelte 10 foot circumference.


I have a list of various area sites, some a little quirky and unique, and am planning to visit them in the upcoming weeks!

No comments: