Fred: A Tree of Inspiration on Florida's Historic Seven Mile Bridge

Fred stands on a stretch of the Old Seven Mile Bridge that you just can’t reach by foot. If you want to spot him, head to the new bridge somewhere between mile markers 41 and 42.

What’s wild is, Fred isn’t a person, he’s an Australian Pine that somehow took root right in the concrete of the old bridge.

Seeing a tree growing out of a bridge like that, it’s hard not to stop and stare. People see Fred as a symbol of grit and hope. He’s survived rough storms and more than one hurricane, holding on while everything around him changes.

Over time, Fred turned into a bit of a local legend. Tourists come by just to snap a photo, and he even made an appearance in the movie Road House. Every holiday season, some mystery “elves” sneak over and deck him out with decorations. It’s a little thing, but it brings a lot of happiness to folks who live nearby and travelers passing through.