Fly through the 175-year-old tree at Constitution Green

When is a tree more than just a tree?

Perhaps when it's older than the state of Florida.

Last month, a developer approached Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan about plans to build an office and apartment complex on Constitution Green, the one-block park in downtown Orlando.

In the center of that park, which is just a few blocks from Lake Eola Park on Summerlin Avenue, is a 70-foot-tall live oak tree with limbs so long they touch the ground. It's listed on the city's "Significant Trees Map," and is estimated at being between 125 and 175 years old. Florida became a state in 1845.

Watch the video "Fly through the 175-year-old tree at Constitution Green."

When news of the possible development began trickling out on sites like Bungalower.com, the OrlandoWeekly.comand OrlandoSentinel.com, some residentsweren't happy about it and began a petition on Change.org.

As of today, almost5,900 people have signed the "Save Constitution Green Park" petition. A rally was held on March 21 as an effort to save the park.

The park is owned by the Carusos, a Central Florida citrus-growing family. The City of Orlando has leasedthe park from the family for $10for 10 years (or a $1-a-year)since the late 1980s. (The city, however, does pay taxes on the land and maintains it.)

The family or the City can terminate the lease with 30 days' notice.

City spokesperson Cassandra Lasfer told the Sentinel's David Breenin March: "We have no applications for development, no applicationsfor any tree removal, and no notice for formaltermination of lease."

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Fly through the 175-year-old tree at Constitution Green