The Big Oak

For many years, the Big Oak Tree of Thomasville has stood as one of the show spots of the city and one of the marvels of benevolent nature. Even President Eisenhower visited this historic landmark while a guest in Thomasville and was so impressed he photographed it himself! One of the largest Southern Live Oak trees (Quercus virginiana) east of the Mississippi, the Big Oak (c. 1680) has a limb span of over 165 feet, a trunk circumference just over 26.5 feet and reaches 68 feet in height. Thomasville's Big Oak was one of the earliest members of the National Live Oak Society, registered in 1936 as the 49th member. The Big Oak is located in Elizabeth Ireland Poe Park, where you can enjoy the tree in all its glory from a quiet little gazebo. You can also have your picture taken beside the Big Oak by the Big Oak Cam!