What) Visiting one of the oldest living organisms in the world is actually quite easy. Thought to be the fifth oldest tree in the world, the Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) affectionately known as the “Senator,” stands in a small park located in Longwood, FL.
Its estimated age of 3,500 years makes it only slightly younger than the carefully guarded Great Basin Bristlecone Pine of California known as Methuselah. To get a good sense of how old this tree really is, one must keep in mind the “Senator” was alive not only during the time of Jesus, but for 1500 years before that when the Greeks destroyed Troy, the Olmecs were powerful in Mexico, Solomon succeeded King David, and Stonehenge was being constructed. Unlike the secret location of the ancient pine, this cypress is very accessible to the public.
The Senator is the largest tree east of the Mississippi and currently stands at 118 feet tall with a circumference of 35 feet. A hurricane in 1925 damaged the top of the tree, shortening it from its original height of 165 feet. The tremendous size of the tree made it useful to both Indians and early settlers as a marker when traveling through the area. Tourists have frequented the area to view the tree since the 1800’s and the land on which it resides was donated to Seminole County by the late Senator M.O. Overstreet to ensure the preservation of the tree. It was in memory of Senator Overstreet that the cypress received its present name. Following the donation in 1927, a ceremony hosted by President Calvin Coolidge officially opened the property to the public in 1929. (1)
Where) 761 General Hutchinson Parkway Open daily from 8am - Dusk Free
Why) It's
just one of those Buckys and both Pam and I should enjoy for
different reasons. 
We received the following sad news nearly a year after visiting the tree. ( 4)
By: Staff Writer
In: Msnbc.com
On: February 28, 2012
A central Florida woman has been charged with setting a fire that burned one of the world's oldest cypress trees, local media reported. Investigators said that two witnesses identified 26-year-old Sara Barnes as the person who caused the 118-foot-tall bald cypress tree named "The Senator" to burn and collapse on January 16. It was a tourist attraction in central Florida long before Disney World was built. The Seminole County parks department said the ring samples showed the tree was roughly 3,500 years old.
Authorities said the tree burned quickly after twigs and branches were piled at the base as if someone was starting a campfire. The Orlando Sentinel reported that Barnes also took photos of the fire with her cellphone.
The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement searched Barnes' Winter Park home on Tuesday and confiscated her cellphone and laptop. Authorities also reported finding methamphetamine, scales and drug paraphernalia. Barnes reportedly told investigators she set the fire while trying to use illegal drugs.
According to the Sentinel, another person apparently was with Barnes when the tree was set on fire, though that person has not been publicly identified or charged. Jail records didn't say if Barnes had an attorney. (4)
