The Senator (Bald cypress)

The Senator (Bald cypress)

Tree, flora, deceased tree, oldest tree, organism

The Senator, a bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) once located in Big Tree Park in Longwood, Florida, was the oldest and largest bald cypress in the world at the time of its demise in 2012. Estimated to be 3500 years old in 1993 (making it approximately 3519 on its death), The Senator was Florida State Senator Moses Overstreet, who donated the tree and surrounding land to Seminole County in 1927.

On the night of January 16th, 2012, the tree was burned down by a 26 year old woman who set the tree on fire accidentally when creating a debris fire to provide better lighting for smoking crystal meth. Big Tree Park was closed in the wake of the incident.

In 2013, in the wake of The Senator's death, Seminole County officials allowed a small group of artists to create art from the remains of the tree. Some of these works of art, which include vases, pens, sculptures and flutes, are available for sale, while others remain in exhibition.

In 2014, Big Tree Park was re-opened after 2 years of inactivity. Alongside a memorial to The Senator, a clone of The Senator, provided by Marvin Buchanan and made from branches secured from The Senator after a wind storm, was planted at the front of the park. The clone, named The Phoenix, was given its name by county elementary schoolers and is still growing today.

Died January 16th, 2012. Estimated to be 3519 on death.

The tree and its stump are under the jurisdiction of Seminole County.

Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) tree stump. When alive, had a height of 125 feet (38 m), trunk diameter of 11.27 feet (3.44 m), and a volume of approximately 5,100 cubic feet (140 m3). Height of the stump is approximately 20 to 25 feet (6.1 to 7.6 m).

Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), tree stump.

Big Tree Park, Longwood, Florida. 28°43′11.2″N 81°19′52.65″W.