Step 4: Visiting The Senator
The Senator and his associate, The Companion, preside over the ten acre Big Tree Park. A 150 yard elevated boardwalk provides easy access to the big trees from the parking area (notice the orange tree growing to the left of the entrance to the walkway).. You have only one or two minutes to enjoy the tropical looking vegetation before you round a curve and behold The Senator. Note the small stream as you approach. This is the mineral rich water said to have helped nourish the trees to their massive proportions. Proceed another 40 yards and you'll encounter The Companion. The boardwalk is handicapped accessible and has benches where you can relax and enjoy the scene. Be sure to check out the ball moss (Tillandsia spp) growing on many of the tree trunks. These are air plants that derive all of their nourishment from the air, they are fascinating plants that produce brilliantly colored flower spikes in early spring.

Big Tree Park:
* has no admission fee
* opens at 8:00 AM
* closes at 6:00 PM from November to March and at 8:00 PM from April through October
* has picnic facilities (tables, shelters, grills)
* has restroom facilities

Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit is when the mosquito population is at a minimum. There tends to be fewer of these pests during the winter than summer, fewer at midday than at evening and fewer on sunny days than on overcast. Dry days with low humidity are best, while high humidity and rain make perfect mosquito weather. Bug repellent is recommended for summer visits.

How to Get There
Big Tree Park is located in Seminole County, less than a half hours ride from downtown Orlando.
Coming from Orlando?
- Take I-4 East from Orlando
- Use Exit State Route 434, Longwood and turn Right
- Proceed 6 miles to US 17/92 and turn left
- Drive north on US 17/92 for 1 mile, then turn left on General Hutchinson Parkway

Coming from Daytona?
- Take I-4 West from Daytona
- Take Exit 51 and turn left onto Lake Mary Boulevard, drive 5 miles to US 17/92
- Turn right on US 17/92 and drive 3 miles to General Hutchison Parkway and turn right

From either direction...
- Follow the General Hutchinson Parkway through the lush sabal palm hammock for 1 mile, the Big Tree Park is on the left.

Learn More...

Visit the Floridata Reference to learn more about some of the the plants that share The Senator's home including: bald cypress, tulip poplar, southern magnolia, sweet bay, swamp maple, sabal palm and blue palm.

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2/15/01; updated 2/10/04
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