The Experience: It is fascinating to learn the history of the famous Treaty Oak, once part of a grove of fourteen live oak trees known to Native Americans as the Council Oaks. Not only was the Treaty Oak regarded as a Tree God, but maidens believed that drinking a brew made from the acorns and wild honey would bring their loved ones back from battle to them safely. It was a site of war dances, feasts, and religious ceremonies. Later, the tree was reportedly the site where Stephen F. Austin signed the first boundary treaty with the local Native Americans. The tree was in the news in 1989, when it was deliberately poisoned, and every effort was made to save it. Eventually it was brought back to health enough to produce acorns which are now planted in other spots around Texas. The tree is located on a small piece of land in the west downtown area. About 35% of the original tree remains, although it is still a huge tree. The Treaty Oak now has a clone planted next to it as well. Take a picture with the famous Treaty Oak while you are there. Our daughter had us print out a big picture of her and the tree to show her whole class.