Treaty Oak Park

The Treaty Oak is an octopus-like Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) in Jacksonville, Florida. The tree is estimated to be 250 years old and may be the single oldest living thing in Jacksonville, predating the founding of the city by Isaiah Hart during the 1820s. It is located in Treaty Oak Park in the Southbank area of Downtown Jacksonville.

The name's origin is generally believed to be related to some local apocryphal stories about peace accords between Native Americans and Spanish or American settlers signed under its branches. In reality, the name was created by the Florida Times-Union journalist Pat Moran who, in an attempt to rescue it from destruction by developers, wrote an article in the early 1930s claiming a treaty had been signed at the site by native Floridians and early settlers and called it Treaty Oak. Prior to that, the tree was known simply as Giant Oak.

The tree has a trunk over 25 feet in circumference, it rises to height of 70 feet, and its crown spreads over 145 feet, with twisting branches that bow to the ground and curl back up. The oak shades a roughly circular area, about 190 feet in diameter.

In 1986, JEA began an important preservation program which grows seedlings from Treaty Oak acorns and makes them available through Greenscape for replanting throughout the city. Since the program was implemented, hundreds of seedlings have been planted, ensuring the legacy of the regal Jacksonville landmark.

A major project was completed in 1995 to preserve the tree and enhance the park, which was completed through the efforts of the city and private groups and individuals. Cables were installed in the tree to support limbs that threatened to damage the trunk, and a lightning protection system was installed.

In 2006, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund awarded $150,000 to the city to cover repairs and renovations to Jessie Ball duPont Park and to maintain and preserve the health of the Treaty Oak, which arborists estimate could live another 400 years.

The tree is located in Jessie Ball duPont Park, a 7-acre (2.8 ha) park on the south side of the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville. Most of the land surrounding the tree was the location of the Dixieland Amusement Park, which opened in 1907. During that time, the tree was festooned with electric lights and witnessed Babe Ruth playing baseball and John Philip Sousa performing a concert.

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Wikipedia