The Senator, Ancient cypress tree in Longwood, US
The Senator was a bald cypress tree in Longwood, Florida that reached a height of 118 feet (36 m) with a trunk diameter of 17.5 feet (5.3 m). These measurements made it the largest specimen of its kind in the state.
Native American tribes in Central Florida used the 3500-year-old tree as a reference point for travel through the surrounding wetlands. After European settlement, it remained standing as a natural monument and drew visitors from the region.
The tree carried the name of Moses Overstreet, a Florida State Senator who transferred the land to Seminole County. His donation allowed the creation of a public park in 1927.
Visitors can reach the Big Tree Park grounds using wooden walkways that wind between the trees. Informational signs along the paths explain the local flora and the history of the area.
A fire in 2012 destroyed the original tree by burning it from the inside. Scientists then successfully cloned the specimen and planted a sapling at the park entrance.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
