The discovery recently of what might be Florida’s tallest live oak tree near a hiking trail I frequent seemed to me more evidence that I live in a place of natural wonder.
OK, maybe just one of the tallest live oaks. There are a lot of trees in the forests despite the best efforts of Florida land developers.
As reported by The News-Journal’s Zach Dean, a hiker in Bulow Creek State Park, Jordan Hobson, noticed a live oak that soared 121 feet. By comparison, Ormond Beach’s celebrated Fairchild Oak only stands at 78 feet tall, while Florida s champion oak, the Cellon Oak, in Alachua County, is a mere 91 feet tall.
Does the oak tree measure up?
Finally, after visiting the mammoth live oak on and off over the next few years, Hobson contacted a pair of senior state foresters St. Johns Greg Dunn and Conrad Wysocki, from DeLeon Springs.
The foresters joined Hobson, and The News-Journal, on a hike to the tree last week. After hours of deliberation, the results were in.
The live oak measured 121 feet tall, blowing past Florida s current champion oak s height of 91 feet. The champion, known as the Cellon Oak, is located between Gainesville and LaCrosse in Alachua County.
Hobson had unknowingly discovered one of Florida s biggest live oaks.
Land for sale along Ormond Loop was once part of historic Old King's Road, built in 1700s msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Short trip to Daytona Beach, Florida
Short trip to Daytona Beach, Florida
The boardwalk at Ponce Inlet Preserve runs through salt marsh to the inlet with an amazing display of birds along the way. (Margie Williamson/Now Habersham)
By the end of 2020, we were beginning to feel like the walls were closing in. So, we took a short trip to Daytona Beach, a place I haven’t been since I was a little thing.
We watched beautiful sunrises and the even more gorgeous sunsets across the inland waterway.
We spent our days exploring the area, looking for birds, taking photographs, and allowing the experience to refill our emotional tanks.