M.O.A.C.
Mother of All Cypress
● Orange Trail
Mother of All Cypress
● Orange TrailThis majestic Bald Cypress tree is the tallest and oldest tree on the entire preserve. When it was first discovered, the volunteers who found it could only call it one thing: the "Mother of All Cypress Trees" — or MOAC.
Standing over 90 feet tall, the MOAC is comparable in size to the 900-year-old "Goethe Giant" located in Levy County, Florida. It is smaller than the famous "Senator" — a 3,500-year-old cypress that was unfortunately lost to fire in 2012 — but it ranks among the most impressive trees in the region.
How old is our MOAC? Nobody knows for certain, but experts believe she may be 400 to 500 years old or more. That means this tree was already a mature giant when the first European explorers arrived in Florida.
Look to the west along the Orange Trail, opposite the river — just south of Radio Crossing, about 50 yards into the woods. And remember: look up! At over 90 feet tall, the MOAC towers above everything around it. It's a sight you'll really want to see.
The Mother of All Cypress looks different with every visit — bare and dramatic in winter, brilliant green in spring and summer. All photos by Mark Smith, PixelSmith.
Look Up — Over 90 Feet of Tree
The Full Tree — Winter & Summer
In Context — The Preserve Around It
Building the Observation Deck
The observation deck was built by volunteers to give hikers the best possible vantage point for seeing the MOAC. All photos by Mark Smith, PixelSmith.
This observation deck and all the amenities of the trail system are maintained by volunteers. Students can receive Bright Futures Service hours for helping. Follow trail events and contact the trail leaders at the Trails of River Hills Facebook page.
