Field Trip Ideas in Florida to Learn About Trees

Oldest Trees

The Senator is the oldest and largest tree in Florida, coming in at about 3,500 years. From what I can tell, it's the oldest on the east coast of the United States. While it is generally thought to be a bald cypress, for a time it was also thought to be a pond cypress. You can find it in Big Tree Park, north east of Orlando.

It's age is some thing that inspires you to think about history. It was already an impressive tree when Jesus walked the earth, and may have sprouted as the Egyptions were building their pyramids. Everyone was glad to see The Senator, and the Companion (another old cypress), survive the two hurricanes of 2004.

While giving substantial competition for being one of the oldest living things on the earth, it seems to be beaten by another bald cypress in Southern Mexico that is at least 4,000 years old, and by "Methuselah", a bristle cone pine in the White Mountains of California estimated at 4,767 years.

For more information and pictures on the Senator and The Companion, read the informative 4 pages provided by Floridata Marketplace

Championtrees.org is another good source of information about The Senator, and other champion trees (sorted by species and location in the US).

Directions:

Coming from Orlando? - Take I-4 East from Orlando - Use Exit State Route 434, Longwood and turn Right - Proceed 6 miles to US 17/92 and turn left - Drive north on US 17/92 for 1 mile, then turn left on General Hutchinson Parkway

Coming from Daytona? - Take I-4 West from Daytona - Take Exit 51 and turn left onto Lake Mary Boulevard, drive 5 miles to US 17/92 - Turn right on US 17/92 and drive 3 miles to General Hutchison Parkway and turn right

From either direction... - Follow the General Hutchinson Parkway through the lush sabal palm hammock for 1 mile, the Big Tree Park is on the left.

Arboreta

John C. Gifford Arboretum - University of Miami's Coral Gables Campus

The John C. Gifford Arboretum - University of Miami's Coral Gables Campus offers a range of flowering plants. Seasonal changes are more subtle in Miami, but they are marked by the flowering of native and exotic ornamental plants.

Arboretum - University of Central Florida - Orlando

The Arboretum has grown to nearly 80 acres. North of the 9 acre man-made lake and, trails take visitors through a 5-7 acre cypress dome and a picturesque 2-3 acre oak hammock.

North of the oak hammock the trail crosses an open area with wild rosemary and sand pine, and oak scrub, returning to the cypress dome. An unmarked trail circles the cypress dome on the north, club mosses and carnivorous sundews lining the sides, before rejoining the main trail on the southwest side of the dome.

The University of Central Florida Arboretum offers a comprehensive self guiding tour booklet that is available for loan from the UCF Library (on reserve).

There are also two types of group tours. A 'Quick' 45 minute tour of the Formal Area focusing on a variety of plant life. The other tour, the Natural Area is about 2 hours and focuses on different Florida habitats. Since there is a limited amount of tour guides, it's recommended to make arrangements for a tour before arriving.

Orlando, FL 32816-2368