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:
Such a shame. It looked majestic.
well what a neat tree and what a neat story! Looks like it was pretty big?
I followed your link to the picture from 1952, that really was a huge tree!
It has a nice story.
Um tronco impressionante.
Um abraço e boa semana.
Andarilhar || Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa || Livros-Autografados
Always sad to see a tree going down. Goverment cut down all our trees in the neighbourhood just to renovate the streets...
What a majestic tree (I was following your link).
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.
How are the mighty fallen! Such a pity as it was majestic!
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
A thoughtful post. Thank You, Lois
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.
I don't think my city has a famous tree
It was majestic in its day.
As a tree lover I can relate to that.
So sad. It was a beauty!
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.
Well, even the redwoods fall.
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.
sad about the tree :( it was really something!
Oh that's sad Lois.. was there not another tree that could have taken over the tradition?
I am glad you gave a link to it in its former glory...it is so sad that it fell.
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