The Oldest Live Oak tree in Texas, known as The Big Tree, lives at Goose Island State Park near Rockport Texas. I paid a visit to the Big Tree in February on my way back from the coastal town of Port Aransas.
This old Texas oak tree is amazing!
Although the Big Tree is no longer the largest tree in Texas it held the title of Texas State Champion Virginia Live Oak from 1969 to 2003.
UPDATE: Sept 2017 – According to the Texas Parks and Wilflife Facebook page the Big Tree is still standing tall after hurricane Harvey.
Oldest Live Oak in Texas – known as The Big Tree
While I was visiting The Big Tree the park ranger and his wife happened to be visiting as well. I found out The Big Tree is not the tallest live oak in Texas due to the coastal winds hindering it’s growth.
Still, this Goose Island oak tree is BIG and it is the oldest live oak tree in Texas.
While we were chatting we heard a Whooping Crane call nearby – not that I could have identified it as such but the park ranger knew.
Coastal Texas is home to many migrating birds so bring your birding binoculars and your best camera gear when you visit!
Oldest Live Oak tree in Texas – known as The Big Tree – at Goose Island State Park
The Big Tree is a Virginia Live Oak (Quercus virginiana), Live Oak are so-named due to the fact that they remain green and ‘live’ through winter when other oak trees are dormant and have lost their leaves.
Virginia Live Oak are found in the warmer climates of the southeastern US from Virginia south to Florida, along the Gulf Coast to Texas.
Virginia Live Oak is often called Southern Live Oak.
Trunk of The Big Tree – Oldest Oak in Texas
The trunk of The Big Tree is over 35 feet (10.7 meters) in circumference and it is 44 feet (13.4 meters) tall.
The Big Tree is estimated to be over 1,000 years old and up to 2,000 years old.
Plaque at the front of the Big Tree reads:
Welcome to my home.
I am a live oak tree and I am very old. I have seen spring return more than a thousand times. I can remember hundreds of hurricanes, most I’d rather forget, but I withstood. There was a big fire once. I have fires.
Around me are my offspring. We are an old-dune woodland community. We provide shelter and acorns for squirrels, jays, raccoons, bobwhite, deer, javelina, and most other members of our community.
For most of my life I belonged only to myself. Now I belong to you, or so I’m told. Humpf! Branch breakers and root tramplers the lot of you.
Some years ago someone came and patched my cracks, trimmed my dead branches, killed my pests and healed my fungus rots. Was that you? I’m feeling much better, thank you.
I am tired now. You may leave me in peace when you are ready to go. Please leave my home as you found it. I have important things to do. The seasons are changing again and I must get ready.
The Big Tree at Goose Island State Park info
Goose Island State Park is located 10 miles northeast of Rockport Texas near the Gulf of Mexico.
Address: 202 S Palmetto St, Rockport, TX 78382
Directions to The Big Tree in Goose Island State Park
- From Rockport take Texas State highway 35 North to Park Road 13
- Turn right onto Main Street/Park Road 13
- Turn right onto S Palmetto St
Camping at Goose Island State Park
Campsites are available but check the 30on Texas Parks & Wildlife to be sure the campsites are open.
Campsite rates start as low as $10 plus entrance fee.
Call to make camping reservations: (512) 389-8900 or make a camping reservation online – you will need to create an account to make an online reservation.
Entrance Fees
- Adults – age 13 and older $5
- Children – age 12 and younger FREE
Hours
- Park is open from 8 am to 10 pm
- Office is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm
Kenneth Long
Saturday 18th of June 2022
I have been around this old tree since I was like 10 years old, seen a lot of things happen to that tree over the years but it is still there bigger and better then ever I still go visit the old oak tree when I can it's a part of not only history but a big part of my childhood.
Terry
Monday 20th of June 2022
Susan Moore, I grew up in this park. My father was the park superintendent for many years. My dad had a picnic with Lady Bird Johnson as she came for a visit while marketing her wild flower for Texas. Particularly bluebonnets. Lived at park through several hurricanes.
Susan Moore
Sunday 19th of June 2022
Kenneth, Thank you for your comment. The old oak is magnificent and impressive to see, thanks for sharing your fond memories of the big tree. Cheers, Susan
Fredo B.
Monday 21st of June 2021
In 1955 as Second grader in Petronila Sch.(about20 miles southwest of Corpus) we took a field trip there, yes i do remember that big tree as if it were yesterday,,time for me to go see it again, ty for the pixs
Susan Moore
Monday 21st of June 2021
Fredo, Thank you for your comment. What a wonderful experience for you, the big tree is impressive to see. I hope you visit this majestic oak again. Cheers, Susan
James R. Harper
Sunday 28th of August 2016
The Big Tree of TEXAS! I live a few miles from that Big Tree and many years ago my mother from Waco visited that tree and found in the road an acorn that she planted in her small grreehouse in Waco, Texas. The growing tree in a pot was 6' tall in 1984 and she took it with her when she moved to Portland, Texas after her husband died and she lived with me. She passed away in 1991 and that tree continues to grow in our front yard today where it reaches taller than the power lines in the street.!
Susan Moore
Monday 29th of August 2016
James, what a beautiful area of Texas you live in! And what a beautiful story, thank you for sharing here on the blog. I love that your mom found the acorn and planted it, so lucky for you to have the tree in your front yard now, as a fond reminder of your mom.
Best wishes, Susan
Janis of So Cal
Wednesday 23rd of April 2014
What a grand old Live Oak! He (no idea, I just ascribe Oaks as "he") looks very much like the Great Oak of Sherwood in the UK right down to the enclosure of a low fence. May he see many more Autumns.
Joy
Wednesday 23rd of April 2014
What an amazing tree. I love oaks and the life they support but had not heard of this variety. I think the oldest oak I've seen was 500 years old, a baby compared to this one.