The Senator Tree Destroyed By Fire And Collapsed, Big Tree Park, Longwood, Florida, United States

On January 16, 2012, a fire was reported at the top of the Senator tree, which burned from the inside out, "like a chimney." Firefighters arrived to try to extinguish the blaze, but the tree collapsed. The cause of the blaze was initially believed to be arson, but was later found to have ignited high up in the interior of the hollow tree. An old, smoldering lightning strike or friction were speculated causes. The charred remains of the tree now stand only 20 to 25 feet (6.1 to 7.6 m) tall.
Statistics
As of 1993, The Senator was estimated to be 3,400-3,600 years old, the 5th oldest tree in the world. The tree's volume had previously been estimated at 4,300 cubic feet (120 m3), but a 2006 survey by Will Blozan of the Native Tree Society has measured the volume at well over 5,100 cubic feet (140 m3), making The Senator not only the largest Pond Cypress in the United States, but also the largest tree of any species east of the Mississippi River.