Description
A Tree that stands as strong as Texas
The Treaty Oak is the last remaining tree of what was once a cluster of 14 live oaks known as the Council Oaks. This group of trees served as a sacred meeting venue for many Indian tribes including the Tonkawas and Comanches. These tribes gathered under the Council Oaks well before any settlers arrived in Texas. Legend has it that Indian squaws brewed a mixture of leaves and acorns from the Treaty Oak that warriors drank before going into battle. The sacred potion was believed to make the warriors invincible and ensured victory for the Indian tribe.
Many historians believe that in 1830, Stephen F. Austin met Comanche leaders under the bows of the Treaty Oak to establish a boundary agreement. This was necessary as there had been many skirmishes between the white settlers and the Indians including a recent raid where the Comanches killed two children and a judge.
In 1989, a deranged man named Paul Cullen injected a hardwood herbicide into the tree that made it severely ill. But with donations from Ross Perot and Dupont, arborists and botanists joined together to save the Treaty Oak from certain death. They were successful and in 1997 the Treaty Oak made its first crop of acorns since the poisoning.
Texans view the Treaty Oak as a symbol of strength, fortitude and perseverance. Arborists believe the tree is over 500 years old and is alive and well today. The famous tree stands at the northeast corner of Baylor Street and 6th Street in Austin, Texas.
Planting and caring for your Legendary Tree is easy — see the Tree Care page for more information. The saplings we sell are just over a year old, approaching 3 feet tall, and in 1 gallon containers. They are shipped in a well-designed, eco-friendly recycled paper box. We use FedEx ground and guarantee arrival within 5 business days of your order.
