The Oldest Tree in Texas
The sprawling, gnarled branches have stood for centuries and have seen history being made.
BRIT Collections
Botanical Research Institute of Texas | Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Plant specimen (2007-05-11) by Larry D. MooreBRIT Collections
The Big Tree
Along the Gulf of Mexico on the small Lamar Peninsular in the small town of Rockport sits the small Goose Island State Park, home to a very big tree. So big, in fact, it’s affectionately referred to as “The Big Tree” all throughout Texas.
Standing with a staggering height of 44 feet tall, a trunk circumference of 35 feet, and a canopy spread of 89 feet, the Big Tree is big indeed. Not only is it big, but it is also old. The Big Tree is estimated to be up to 2,000 years old, making it the oldest tree in Texas.
The tree is almost like a character in a storybook.
The sprawling branches show its wisdom and age. The gnarled, knotted wood speaks to the tree’s many great struggles. The peculiar shape of the canopy gives an other-worldly feeling. The tree is exceptional not only for its age and size but for its pure will to survive.
If only this tree could speak, it would tell of the vast cultural and environmental changes that have occurred in the area. This tree withstood peace, war, and natural disasters. It provided a canopy for children playing 1,000 years ago.
It stood tall during the category 4 Hurricane Harvey in 2017. It was a meeting site for indigenous peoples who lived throughout Texas. It served as a landmark for explorers when the Texas landscape was sparse.
Plant specimen (1819) by Henri-Joseph RedoutéBRIT Collections
Quercus virginiana
The Big Tree is a species of oak called Quercus virginiana, commonly referred to as a live oak.
Quercus virginiana is common in Texas and typically grow inland, making The Big Tree an oddity due to its location near the Gulf of Mexico.
BRIT358997 (1956-03-31) by William L. McCartBRIT Collections
Quercus virginiana specimen
Specimen collected in Aransas County, 4.5 miles northeast of Rockport, Texas.
Visitors to Goose Island State Park are invited to stand under the oak and ponder the beautiful tree’s life. The tree is associated with many legends, from cannibalism to witchcraft to hangings.
Not much is known about the tree - even its exact age - but we do know it is old and strong. It was here long before us and will likely live long after us.
Tap to explore
"The Big Tree"
Surrounding the tree are many other live oaks - all are offspring of The Big Tree. The winds from the Gulf affect the height of the tree, so its proportions are different from most live oaks. The tree has a large circumference but is relatively short, comparatively.
The following is a portion of the poem on a plaque at the site of the tree:
Welcome to my home.
I am a live oak tree and I am very old.
I have seen spring return more than a thousand times.
I can remember hundreds of hurricanes, most I'd rather forget, but I withstood.
There was a big fire once. I hate fire.
Around me are my offspring.
We are an old-dune woodland community.
We provide shelter and acorns for squirrels, jays, raccoons, bobwhite, deer, javelina and most other members of our community.
For most of my life I belonged to myself.
Now I belong to you, or so I'm told.
The Oldest Tree in Texas
Story created by Alyssa Kosyaem, Philecology Herbarium, Botanical Research Institute of Texas and Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
References:
The Botanical Journey. Oldest Oak Tree in Texas. 1 July 2016. https://thebotanicaljourney.com/blogs/the-botanical-journey/oldest-oak-tree-in-texas
Dansby, A. The Big Tree has endured a lot. Houston Chronicle. 30 December 2011. https://www.chron.com/life/article/The-Big-Tree-has-endured-a-lot-2431666.php
Texas Parks and Wildlife. Goose Island State Park: Nature. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island/nature
Interested in Natural history?
Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.