The Senator (tree) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Senator |
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The Senator in 2012
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 The Senator
Location in Florida
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| Species | Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) |
| Coordinates | 28°43′11.2″N 81°19′52.65″W / 28.719778°N 81.3312917°W |
| Date felled | January 16, 2012 |
The Senator was an amazing bald cypress tree. It was once known as the biggest and oldest tree of its kind in the world. This giant tree lived in Big Tree Park, located in Longwood, Florida. When it was lost in 2012, it stood about 125 feet (38 meters) tall. Its trunk was incredibly wide, measuring 17.5 feet (5.3 meters) across. People first thought a lightning strike caused a fire that destroyed the tree. However, it was later found that a person accidentally started the fire.
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Discovering The Senator's Age and Size
As of 1993, experts believed The Senator was around 3,500 years old. This made it one of the oldest trees on Earth! Its huge size was also very impressive. In 2006, a new study showed the tree's volume was over 5,100 cubic feet (144 cubic meters). This made The Senator the largest bald cypress in the United States. It was also the biggest tree of any type found east of the Mississippi River.
A Landmark Through History
For many years, The Senator tree was an important landmark. Native American groups, like the Seminoles, used it to find their way around Central Florida. Even in the late 1800s, people wanted to visit this special tree. Back then, the area around it was very wet and swampy. Visitors had to jump from log to log to reach the tree. Later, a special walkway was built to make it easier for everyone to visit.
In 1925, a strong hurricane hit the area. It broke off the very top of the tree. This made The Senator shorter, going from 165 feet (50 meters) down to 118 feet (36 meters).
How The Senator Got Its Name
The tree was named after Florida State Senator Moses Overstreet. He was a kind person who gave the tree and the land around it to Seminole County in 1927. This gift created the park where the tree stood. In 1929, former US President Calvin Coolidge reportedly visited The Senator. He dedicated the site with a special bronze plaque. Sadly, this plaque and parts of an iron fence were stolen by vandals in 1945. They were never found again.
The Fire and Its Aftermath
On January 16, 2012, a fire broke out inside The Senator tree. It burned from the inside, like a chimney. Firefighters tried their best to put out the flames. However, the tree was too damaged and eventually collapsed. Today, the charred remains of the tree stand only about 20 to 25 feet (6 to 7.6 meters) tall.
Later, it was discovered that a person had accidentally started the fire. This person had been at the park when it was closed.
Life After the Fire: A New Beginning?
Some people believe that The Senator tree might still be alive today. They have seen small saplings growing at the base of the giant tree. Officials also shared that the tree had been cloned before the fire. They are now looking for these clones to bring them back.
In October 2013, officials allowed a small group of artists and woodworkers to use pieces of the charred tree. They created beautiful works of art from the remains of The Senator. These items include vases, pens, flutes, and sculptures. Some of these creations have been sold at art shows. Officials are also working to create both a permanent and a traveling exhibit for some of these special artifacts.
On March 2, 2014, Big Tree Park reopened to the public. It had been closed for almost a year after the fire. A special memorial was built, with signs along the boardwalk. There is also a playground piece that looks like a bald cypress tree stump. A clone of The Senator, named "The Phoenix," was planted near the playground.
Another clone of The Senator was found thanks to Marvin Buchanan. He had saved some branches after the original tree was damaged by wind. He then cloned them on his tree farm. This clone is now growing at the entrance to Big Tree Park.
Meet Lady Liberty Tree
Just 40 feet (12 meters) from where The Senator once stood, there is another very old cypress tree. This tree is called Lady Liberty. It was known as a companion tree to The Senator. Lady Liberty is 89 feet (27 meters) tall and 10 feet (3 meters) wide. Experts believe it is about 2,000 years old. This makes Lady Liberty another one of the oldest trees in the world!
