Tuesday, January 24, 2017

May Oak




This is all that is left of the beloved old May Oak located in Lewis Park downtown after it split down the middle and fell into the street in August 1986. The Tallahassee May Day Festival, one of the oldest annual celebrations in Florida, was held here until 1974. May Queens were crowned beneath its branches for more than 100 years. I remember the tree and I remember when it fell. It was a big deal for a city that cherishes its trees. You can see what it looked like in 1952 here. Another picture showing the May king and queen with their court under the tree in 1947 can be seen here.

Linking to Tuesday's Treasures.

21 comments:

Klara S said...

Such a shame. It looked majestic.

BeachGypsy said...

well what a neat tree and what a neat story! Looks like it was pretty big?

Marleen said...

I followed your link to the picture from 1952, that really was a huge tree!
It has a nice story.

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Um tronco impressionante.
Um abraço e boa semana.
Andarilhar || Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa || Livros-Autografados

biebkriebels said...

Always sad to see a tree going down. Goverment cut down all our trees in the neighbourhood just to renovate the streets...

Aritha V. said...

What a majestic tree (I was following your link).

Lowell said...

It's always painful when a beautiful icon falls to the ravages of nature. That was a gorgeous tree. If I recall correctly, I think that famous "drive-through" sequoia in California also bit the dust recently.

Christine said...

How are the mighty fallen! Such a pity as it was majestic!

MadSnapper said...

it really was a beauitufl old tree, I liked both photos of it. I also love the stump and am glad they left it there, I love both trees and stumps

Cloudia said...

A thoughtful post. Thank You, Lois

Sharon said...

It is a sad thing to see a big tree that has lived a very long time felled. I think it's wonderful that the city has honored the tree with the plaque.

Adam said...

I don't think my city has a famous tree

William Kendall said...

It was majestic in its day.

Stefan Jansson said...

As a tree lover I can relate to that.

RedPat said...

So sad. It was a beauty!

Bill said...

That was one old glorious tree. It's a shame that it split and fell. I'm glad that they have the stump to remind them of the beauty that stood there for all those years. Thanks for providing the links, it was nice to see the tree.
Thanks for the well wishes concerning my cataract surgery. It went well.

Linda said...

Well, even the redwoods fall.

Tom said...

I remember May Day well, at our grade school in the '50s we had a celebration each year. My sister was the May Day Queen one year. Thanks for stopping by Lois, I'd love to have you back again.

Tanya Breese said...

sad about the tree :( it was really something!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Oh that's sad Lois.. was there not another tree that could have taken over the tradition?

Rose said...

I am glad you gave a link to it in its former glory...it is so sad that it fell.