Skip to Main Content

Austin, Texas: Treaty Oak

Last surviving Council Oak tree at a meeting ground for the Comanche and Tonkawa, where they would decide on peace or war. A historical marker tell the tale. In 1989, a nut job poisoned the beloved tree and killed most of it. But the Treaty Oak hangs on.

Address:
507 Baylor St, Austin, TX
Directions:
Baylor between W 6th and W 5th St.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Treaty Oak

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Treaty Oak.

Treaty Oak

The Treaty Oak is the last surviving member of the Council Oaks. Since the 1880s, the tree had been privately owned by the Caldwell family. In 1937 the City of Austin purchased the land for $1,000 and installed a plaque honoring the tree's role in Texas history.

In 1989, in an act of deliberate vandalism, the tree was poisoned with the powerful hardwood herbicide. DuPont, the herbicide manufacturer, established a $10,000 reward to capture the poisoner. The vandal, Paul Cullen, was apprehended after reportedly bragging about poisoning the tree as a means of casting a spell. Cullen was convicted of felony criminal mischief and sentenced to serve nine years in prison.

Although arborists expected the tree to die, the Treaty Oak survived. However, almost two-thirds of the tree died and more than half of its crown had to be pruned.

Today the tree is a thriving, but as a lopsided reminder of its once-grand form. Many Texans see the Treaty Oak today as a symbol of strength and endurance.

[Christy LaSalle, 05/02/2017]

Treaty Oak.

Treaty Oak

This 500-year old tree is famous in Austin for being the last surviving tree out of 14 that were once the meeting ground for two Indian tribes. This oak tree represents the place where the tribes decided to go to war or make peace. There is a plaque in front that tells the story of this history-making tree.

[David, 03/20/2012]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Peter Pan Mini GolfPeter Pan Mini Golf, Austin, TX - < 1 mi.
Statue of Stevie Ray VaughanStatue of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Austin, TX - < 1 mi.
Rainbow CowboyRainbow Cowboy, Austin, TX - < 1 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Texas Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings