The Tree of Life and Its History (11 pics)

This drooping oak tree in New Orleans is a favorite spot for both climbing and for various photo ops and encounters with the long-necked animals.





Located in New Orleans' Audubon Park, the so-called "Tree of Life" (officially the Etienne de Boré Oak) is not only one of the city's premier tree-climbing spots, but also a surprisingly good place to spot giraffes.



De Boré owned a large plantation upriver from New Orleans. The De Boré Plantation was annexed by the city of New Orleans in 1870, and is now home to Audubon Park, Tulane University, and the Audubon Zoo.





Locals have given the tree its current, more common name, the "Tree of Life." It is not known how old the sprawling oak is, but given its size, the Live Oak Society, which has chosen the tree as one of its record holders, believes it was planted around 1740. But an oak with a girth of over 30 feet can be 500 years old or more.



This gnarled tree is very popular with locals. It is famous for its easy climbing up its branches, and rope scraps can be used to get under its spreading canopy. Many people also choose to take wedding photos under the branches.



An added bonus to visiting the Tree of Life is that it is adjacent to one of the walls of the Audubon Zoo, namely the wall of the giraffe enclosure. So if you come at the right time of day, you can climb up the branches (it's unlikely that this is officially allowed, but what can you do) and admire the thoughtful faces of long-necked animals through the wall.