In the heart of downtown Safety Harbor, a towering live oak tree provides a shady place to relax. But city leaders say it's also an integral part of the town's story.
“When I look at the tree, I think of peace, serenity, and I think of the history of the tree and all the people who have sat underneath it,” said resident Jarine Dotson. “There’s the old saying, ‘if trees could talk’ — I’m sure the Baranoff Oak would tell us many stories.”
The Baranoff Oak is believed to be somewhere between 300 to 500 years old. It is named after Dr. Salem Baranoff, who owned the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. The tree is recognized by the Live Oak Society and was fenced off in 2004, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the tree is protected forever.
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Photo credit - Scott Long/Quoz 34695