Southern Turf Inc

How many have heard of South Daytona's Big Tree?

Big Tree Road was named for a giant live oak tree that became a tourist attraction in the early 1900s in the town of Blake. The giant tree had a trunk circumference of 35 feet and a height of 100 feet. It’s branches reached out 157 feet. A platform was built in the tree and used for square dances and tea parties. A photo of the tree was used on post cards to promote the area. In October 1928, a brush fire broke out near the tree and fire consumed the diseased, hollow trunk of the old tree. Gallant efforts by a bucket brigade failed to douse the fire. A month later the old tree finally toppled. The tree was estimated to be 2,000 years old and was located on the farm land of George Towne. The farm and orange groves were located on the south side of Big Tree Road near Magnolia Ave and behind what is now Big Tree Plaza. FYI: The town of Blake became South Daytona in 1938.