Fred the Tree

Common card · No. 479306

Fred the Tree is a wild-growing celebrity Casuarina tree (also known as an Australian pine, though it is not a true pine). It is located on the defunct Seven Mile Bridge, the part of Overseas Highway that connects the Florida Keys with mainland Florida. The tree is located on the old part of the highway, originally constructed as a railroad line, which can be seen from the new Overseas Highway. The portion of the Old Seven Mile Bridge where Fred the Tree is located is not accessible through any means except boat or helicopter. It can be viewed from the Overseas Highway between Mile Marker 41 and 42. The trusses of the bridges were originally built with sand, so the Australian pine tree, which is capable of surviving in salty conditions with extreme heat, likely sprouted out of bird droppings, with its roots growing deep into the sand inside the concrete structure. Fred the Tree is often referred to as a sign of hope and the resilience of the people in the Florida Keys due to its ability...

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