An historic oak tree with a fascinating story and a lie.
The true story of an actual old growth oak.
Picture yourself standing under one of the most magnificent oak trees in the U.S. The circumference of the tree is a staggering 125 feet around with branches ascending a whopping 70 feet into the sky. The crown of the tree extends its gnarled ancient branches to cover an amazing 145 square feet. This oak tree is estimated to be over 250 years old and has a fascinating story;
Located in downtown Jacksonville, Florida this actual old growth oak pre dates the founding of the city by Isaiah Hart in 1820. This southern live oak or quercus virgiana, can be found deep within the 7 acre Jessie Ball Dupont park. For the entire life of this tree it has been a centerpiece of the park.The tree location was originally named the Dixieland Amusement Park which opened in 1907. During that time the mighty oak would be covered in festive lights while such luminaries as Babe Ruth and John Philip Sousa entertained the public nearby.
At some point in the 1930's developers began to eye the property and clearly this huge oak was going to be removed. Something had to be done and it had to be done quickly.
This is where things got "interesting." A local reporter got together with the Jacksonville Gardening Club and they hatched a devious but ultimately successful plan, they lied. Pat Moran was a reporter for the Florida Times-Union and he wrote a wonderful tale regarding settlers and indians meeting to make peace under this ancient tree. Adding this bit of folklore was just enough to render it a meaningful and historic place. The tree was saved. Perhaps there is such a thing as a good lie after all.
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