Florida's Majestic Oak Trees

When one envisions Florida, there is usually a picture that comes to mind of a sandy beach somewhere, with coconut-filled palm trees, that sway in the balmy breeze, not gnarly ancient trees that look like the trunks of elephants. But deep in central Florida and parts of north, there are one hundred to four hundred year-old Maltby and Fairchild Oaks. The oaks limbs have grown like outstretched arms, with Spanish moss draping them like a ghostly Pirate beard swaying in the breeze.

In Florida, the oak tree is predominant in the Ocala National Forest, to small towns in central, northwest and northeast, from Palatka to Bunnell. The oldest documented oak tree in Florida is located in the town of Bunnell. It is over four hundred years old. The location of the centuries-old tree is Bulow Creek State Park. The amazing, monstrous tree keeps growing! This tree is considered one of the largest live oak trees in Florida. Since the 1600's the tree has grown in peaceful grace, while Florida's chaotic history unfolded around it, including the 1836 burning of neighboring Bulow Plantation during the Second Seminole War.
There is no clear-cut explanation for why Florida's oaks have prospered. Environmentalists and horticulturists say the rich soil in those parts of Florida are responsible, coupled with the sublime weather, rainfall and nutrients. Sunshine and chlorophyll aside, Florida wouldn't be unique without folk stories behind the magical trees. A favorite old tale is one told throughout the generations.

This one is the story of the massive oaks with their Spanish moss being the hiding places long ago for maidens running away from the invading pirates. One particular maiden went up a tree in the Micanopy area of Florida, when the pirate went up the tree to go after the damsel in distress, he got caught in the massive branches, thus the pirate's beard became the hanging moss.