Big Tree Park is located on the beautifully shaded General Hutchison Parkway between U.S. 17-92 and State Road 427 in Longwood. It also serves as a Trailhead for the Cross Seminole Trail. The park is a step back in time and a popular tourist destination. Walk through a natural hydric hammock swamp as you make your way on the boardwalk to the former site of "The Senator": an approximately 3,500 year old National Champion Bald Cypress Tree that was lost to fire in January of 2012.

A memorial has since been developed and includes interpretive signage along the newly renovated boardwalk, a playground piece that mimics a bald cypress tree stump and a clone of "The Senator" that was planted near the playground. The name for the clone is "The Phoenix." Big Tree Park is also home to the Senator's sister tree, "Lady Liberty", an approximately 2,000 year old Bald Cypress Tree. This property was donated to Seminole County by Senator M.O. Overstreet and dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge in 1929.

Park Map

An Ode to Big Tree Park

Directions

For more information on this park, please contact:

LEISURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT 
Greenways and Natural Lands Division  

100 E. 1st Street
Sanford, Fl 32771

Phone: 407-665-2001
Fax: 407-665-2179