Philippe Park, Florida     It's never too late for a real look at one of the huge,stately Oak trees in Philippe Park, one of the larger "Live Oaks" in Pinellas County. Its roots are at the west end of the Indian mound. If it were possible to study past or climatic events through the art of Dendrochronology, its tree rings would show years of drought and years of an abundance of water. Unfortunately, the history of the park and Safety Harbor is not shown in tree rings, and will always be locked in the mystique of the tree itself.

    Appearances can be deceiving or can they? Find a comfortable place to sit and relax (a necessary segment of nature study). Study the shape of this magnificent Oak tree and see how it takes on the appearance of strength and power. Its branches are irregular in growth, and some of the limbs have been removed. Where they were removed, calluses have grown over the pruning cuts. Observe the huge bulbous swellings, some extruding from the trunk at the base. She has been struck by lighting, ravaged by infections and abused by nature since her birth perhaps 200 years ago or more. Luckily this oak is salt tolerant, and adapts well to a salt water environment.

Birds, birds, and birds!     As you breathe the delightfully fresh air, watch for the birds that frequent the area: blue jays, mockingbirds, pileated woodpeckers, crows, an ibis or two, hawks, and cardinals, to name a few. Remember, the air you enjoy supports the feathers and flight of these birds. That woodsy smell, borne on the breeze wafting thru the park, lulls and allows you to observe the gentle motion of the huge branches and it's foliage during your sojourn at the tree. Of course, if the air is dead calm it may seem as if nature itself has stilled: similar to that saying "not a creature was stirring not even a mouse."

Critter Haven!     What does this "Quircus virginiana" live oak tree have to offer to animals, birds, and humans? That's an easy question to answer, Spanish moss, used by many birds to hide from predators. Incidentally, if your desire is to take some Spanish moss, remember it shelters many small critters that you may not want in your house. The tree shelters squirrels when they eat and may occasionally provide a nesting spot for them. This tree provides acorns which are eaten by racoons, squirrels, red-headed woodpeckers and blue jays to name a few. Fat grubs, the larvae of beetles, can be found under the bark for those bug munching birds.

Memories!     How many broken branches were used to keep a fire burning during the Seminole Indian history? How many young Indian girls and boys climbed the limbs when playing. Was it a Gibbet(hanging) tree? Threads of information say a metal pole was fastened to a large branch and was situated to support a rope. Could this tree have been a hanging tree long ago? As the day passes and the evening shadows start to fill the park, how many lost memories, spirits, laughter, and screams of delight still linger and drift through the tree?