I scouted the Dueling Oak because I had heard about it and wanted to see if it had potential as a photo subject. While an impressive southern live oak tree, time has taken several of its large, sprawling limbs, which has unfortunately reduced the tree\u2019s canopy. Despite its condition, I decided I would return another day at the proper time to try to compose a shot that didn\u2019t rely heavily on the oak\u2019s canopy.<\/p>\n
When I returned, I found the best composition was to trek down Old Magnolia Road a bit and then shoot back towards the Dueling Oak. This allowed me to not only show off the sheer size of the tree but to also convey its position in the middle of the road. Old Magnolia Road\u2019s tree canopy<\/span><\/span><\/a> framed the Dueling Oak and covered its missing limbs.<\/p>\n It was early spring, and the trees were vibrant and beautiful from the new growth in shades of yellow and green, anchored by the red dirt of the old road.<\/p>\n The Dueling Oak is a large southern live oak tree (Quercus virginiana) situated towards the north end of Old Magnolia Road on the outskirts of Tallahassee, Florida in Leon County<\/a><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> More accurately, the Dueling Oak sits smack dab in the middle of Old Magnolia Road. Traffic must divert around the stately old oak in the middle of the unpaved canopy road or endure an accident. A low brick wall around the tree solidifies its presence, as though it were necessary.<\/p>\n The Dueling Oak\u2019s name harkens back to code duello, of a time gone by when disagreements were resolved, and honor defended, swiftly – and permanently – by a duel to the death.<\/p>\n Who knows what violence this old live oak tree has seen in its lifetime; one can only assume that it earned its name. Though, in my brief research online, I was able to find no proof of specific duels occurring at this spot, under the Dueling Oak\u2019s outreached limbs, in the middle of Old Magnolia Road.<\/p>\n One-on-one combat in the form of duels most certainly did occur in the Tallahassee area in the past. Perhaps one of the more infamous battles was the Read-Alston duel that took place on December 12, 1839.<\/p>\n Leigh Read and Augustus Alston were political opponents in Tallahassee and decided to settle their differences with a duel. Alston was expected to be the victor of the fight. Alas, fate had other plans. Alston apparently shot wildly in the pivotal moment and was subsequently killed by Read.<\/p>\nThe Dueling Oak, a Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)<\/h2>\n
The Read-Alston Duel<\/h2>\n