It is true what the plaque says, that those who meet in its shadow will be friends forever. In junior high and high school our Y-Teen group from Texarkana always went to this site for our yearly Midsouth Conference in the 60s. We spent a week on campus sharing wonderful experiences. One of them was meeting at the Friendship Oak every morning for Morning Watch, a devotional time. Our leaders would climb those steps up the tree and onto the platform to lead us. We sang Kumbaja and so many endearing songs that bound us together as young Christian women. My group of friends are still together 50 years later. We meet and travel together and share memories of Midsouth beneath the Friendship Oak. I still have the picture of us posing there. It was in our newspaper! I am so thankful to those wonderful memories.Sheila FieldsBryan, Texas

Wow, what a cool little detour! This tree is over 500 years old and still ticking. Great little info plaque all about it. You really can see the age and eras of the tree. It was fascinating.

We walk our Golden here almost every afternoon. Its just a gorgeous campus. So much to see and explore. Even turtles!!

What an awesome tree! 500+ years old! Its a sprawling wonder!Some of the huge limbs have either been cut or supported for safety reasons but the majority is still healthy.The history this tree has witnessed!Worth the stopped to grab a few photos and wonder about the historical events in this part of the country.Its located on the Southern Mississippi University Campus.

I grew up in the country and became a landscaper so I couldnt wait to visit Friendship Oak! It is a beauty!My husband and I had a great time taking photos with Friendship Oak.We visited on our 2nd year anniversary.Im not superstitious but welcome this lifetime with my husband!

Accidentally ran across this while lost. Fascinating. I stand in awe of these old trees. If they could only talk.

This is truly an amazing thing to behold. The tree is absolutely humongous and ancient, with metal support stilts. Located just inside the University of Southern Mississippi.

It was going through a some TLC at this moment but brought my wife here which just so happens to be my ride or die bestie... We found it intriguing but weird location...

The tree is so amazingly beautiful, if only it could tell me stories. However my imagination can run wild. I was truly blessed to be able to see this splendid Tree. You wont be disappointed if you love nature in all its glory. Stop by and visit the friendship tree.

Take a picture in its shadows very cool

Very beautiful tree with so much history!!

Very interesting. Huge tree lots of history.

Shadey area.. nice big oak tree

Awesome wingspan! I hope for another 500 years.

Friendship Oak is such a majestic tree to see. Many other great oak trees and views on the campus as well.

Beautiful tree, surprised at so many laterals touching the ground. we have two ancient trees in my area (Safety Harbor & Clearwater FL) that are 350-500 yrs old but the laterals are up off the ground. I gave it four stars because the tree deserves better upkeep on the immediate grounds around the tree.

It is wonderful to visit places with such history! What a beautiful tree! Definitely worth the trip there.

If your in the area definitely check it out!! Beautiful piece of live history

So beautiful and peaceful

Nice friendly place to sit and relax

If your interested in old crooked trees this is the place to go! Its limb length is fascinating. If it could tell the history it has seen, wow.

Cool tree, but have to keep your distance

Amazing to see the 500+ year old tree.

Amazing, centuries old oak. Its actually 2 oaks that grew together, but now one is dying while the other is still going strong, so its roped off at present. No sitting in the tree now. The campus on the Gulf is so pretty. A lovely place to stop and visit.

This was a really neat site on the Gulf Coast Campus of Southern Miss. The tree is 500 years old and has a special meaning behind its name. It is worth seeing if you are riding on 90 along the beach. It is a quick stop and one to check off your list.

Fun little stop on Hwy 90. The tree is amazing!

Its a very cool tree. It was a seedling when Columbus was navigating the waters.

Some limbs had fallen and the tree was blocked off. Still cool to see!

We stopped by on a road trip because the tree was only 20 mins out of the way. Really interesting piece of history, the tree is older than the United States.

Nice, but not like it once was. There were able to save the tree from tree rot, but she is not what she once was.

Very cool place for a quick stop.

Love this. It is so beautiful.

This tourist attraction features the oldest Oak tree on the Ms Gulf coast. It has weathered the test of time and multiple hurricanes. It proudly stands with its heavy branches draped around it like an antebellum gown.

This tree is over 500 years old. Standing in front of it made me think of everything it has lived through and survived. Katrina for one, and countless other storms. The whole college campus is pretty and has many stately old trees.

I have pictures of me and my siblings in this awesome piece of history and natural landmark. its been through alot and I dont think you are able to get in it anymore -- sad! but still so beautiful and worth going to see it.

Friendship Oak is a nice place to take photos or to stop and enjoy your lunch. For professional photos please request approval thru the campus office.

Its a big tree!

Great weather for a great race!

This is an absolutely lovely place. Its both beautiful and comfortable. Great to hold an event.

For being called the friendship oak I dont think I have ever had a more unfriendly experience for simply looking at a tree. I stood there looking at the tree and stretching my legs for probably 5 minutes before a security guard (not a real cop although he wanted to act like it) showed up, asked for my ID (which I refused), started writing down my licence plate number, and then threatened to call the actual cops on me. Sadly, he did not see the irony of threatening me in front of the friendship tree so I just left.

Awe inspiring 500 year old Oak Tree .Such Beauty !!! If Only they could talk !!!

Words cannot express the sadness I feel seeing how this great old tree suffers.When I was a student here i spent many hours sitting with this tree just trying to get my stuff together.A mystic and majestic ancient thing.

What a beautiful tree! Decided to take the long way on a drive from New Orleans to Gulf Shores, Al. Driving along the coast is such a gorgeous drive. The tree is located on a college campus so beware ...out GPS took us to a located a few miles away....finally found it and so glad we did. Really an awe inspiring site!

Not anything else to do. Its located on a college ground. Still a cool thing to see.

First visit, if was very well organized. Beautifully set up under the big Oak trees. Loved it.

This is a 500 yr old tree, imagine all the things it has seen.

The oak tree is over 500 years old. It was found in 1487 and is still alive to this day. It is located right off the beach at the university of southern Mississippi campus in Long Beach, MS.

This sprawling oak tree has a long history on this tiny USM satellite campus.

What an amazing piece of history!

Beautiful old tree. My best friend and I stood in the shadow of the tree and vowed to be friends for life as that is the legend of the Friendship Oak

Sad to see its branches cut up after so many year, but scars are beautiful and the tree still stands strong. Id recommend seeing it if youre passing through.

Very cool place, seeing a tree thats over 500 years old that has weathered numerous hurricanes. We have seen numerous live oaks they the south, this one has its scars but is still standing and growing.

A little tattered by Katrina yet the overall experience is amazing

If you like or trees, its a beautiful one.

The history is amazing. The tree is really starting to show wear and tear/aging. It was a 5 min stop for a picture and back on the road.

Totally awesome tree, worth going to see. I have never seen anything like that before.

Beautiful scenery right within the University of Southern Mississippis Gulf Park Campus. Even more beautiful is that the location is situated literally 200 feet away from a pure white sand beach.

Beautiful old Live Oak on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. Huge branches spread to an amazing width, reaching down to the ground and growing back up in several places. All overlooking white sand beaches and the sparkling Gulf of Mexico just across the highway. Stop in nearby scenic downtown Long Beach for a bite to eat and a great cup of coffee at Bankhouse Coffee. Well worth a side trip.

This is on a college campus. Beautifully kept, sentimental and meaningful, perfect place to make promises, and lifelong commitments.

This campus of USM is lovely with the beach in view and stately live oaks with the incredible Friendship Oak as the centerpiece!

A beautiful place for pictures.

It was so pretty!!! I loved seeing something that is so old!!! Very interesting!!

Nice but could be better taken care of. On a university campus. You would think that someone would be interested in its care.

Beautiful tree! With a beautiful story!

Very very beautiful. Located on ISM campus I found it by accident and was glad I did.

Awesome place, clean and well kept. Great campus.

I loved it because I like to look at old trees

Big old live oak tree on the Southern Mississippi grounds. Its looking a big old. Some of the limbs appear to be rotting, I think.

It looks sad and hurt, amazing how little it take for major changes in a life.

Awesome place.

What a beautiful piece of history.

Sad to see the Friendship tree getting to old to recover....

Katrina hurt it bad. No more tree house. Still cool to see.

This was such a beautiful tree!! Still have my piece of it Just standing there thinking of all who have stood under it, made me emotional

Im loving it

Simply amazing

Beautiful oak trees the must-see down on the coast quite a few Oaks to see as well as the Friendship Oak it had some damage. A branch fell its a shame but still beautiful.

It is amazing how old that tree

Peace, love, serenity. Reflection and hope. Holy.

Never been to Mississippi so I googled things to do, friendship oak popped up and I am so glad we visited. Amazing sight to see

Friendship oak, not much more you can say about a 500 year old oak.

I was able to see this from my car driving to a meeting on USM. The tree is magnificent, ancient, and beautiful. Id like to go back when I have more time to see it.

Perfect for historical and picturesque pictures, as well as to have a picnic under with glass of wine. Beautiful.

Really cool tree

Historical site at USM in Long Beach Mississippi. Has been there all my life which is 55 years and has been there many other life times before me used to it had a fort type wooden platform to walk up into the tree with but could Katrina ruined that. Almost took the tree with it.

Great part of history something worth seeing

Everyone that comes to visit has to see this gorgeous old oak.

The entire campus is beautiful.

Besutiful! Worth the time. Great place for pics too!

Amazing how long these trees have been alive! There are several of these live oaks, I want to see them all!

What a truly amazing experience!

Love this place. Just wish the tree was in better shape like when in was a kid.

It’s alright. Got to see in person what a 500 yrs old tree looks like.

Excellent piece of history well preserved over time!

Took lots of pictures, amazing how the friendship oak has lasted so many years

I seems to have had its day in the limelight, but still quite awesome!

Very beautiful and nice place to have a picnic

Its worth a look. I love trees.

Friendly and informative staff

Great site but still doing repair work around it