This is "The Senator", a 3,500 year old cypress in Longwood, Florida. One of the oldest trees in the world, this ancient tree was a landmark to Florida's natives and one of the first tourist attractions. In the 19th century visitors would trek through the swamp, leaping across floating logs that made up the precarious "boardwalk."
On January 16, 2012, the tree burned. A woman was later arrested and told police the fire started after she climbed inside the base of the tree and needed more light to see her methamphetamine. The community was heartbroken. I visited this tree many times, and it was an awesome sight.
This picture shows how the tree burned from the inside - a terrible, tragically beautiful image.
From wikipedia:
Some people believe that the tree is still alive. They have spotted saplings at the base of the big tree. Officials also said that the tree was cloned at one point, and they are searching to bring the clones back.
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