Subscribe Now!How to Embarrass Trees
February 22nd, 2007 by Bunk Strutts
Surprisingly, these are un-photoshopped images of real trees:
In the 1920’s, a farmer in Hillmar CA began humilating some sycamores on his property. Axel Erlandson continued his mad arborist experiments for 40 years. 75 trees later, God nailed him for being a wise guy.
Erlandson’s “circus trees” were popular, and just like any decent circus, travelled around a bit before finally settling down for retirement at the Bonfante Gardens in Gilroy, California. More photos and history can be found here.
I happened to catch a whole documentary on this guy. After he died, his trees just overgrew for a couple of decades, until someone wanted to bulldoze them for a highway. Luckily, they found a home for them in a zoo. The documantary paraded the man’s daughter - now nearly 80 years old or so - in front of them in the garden.
What I find amazing is that many of the trees still survive almost 80 years after they were first created. Particularly since they were neglected in poorly nourished soil for many decades.
My favorites are the basket tree (shown above) and the heart shaped tree (on the Bonfante Gardens site).
That kind of shaping is much easier with squashes and custom molds. I’ve never thought of doing it with a tree before, that’s clever.
hey girl!
that’s incredible and shows how humans will always try to manipulate nature
you mentioned being astounded by the fact they lasted 80 years, what is the lifespan of a tree anyway?
These are amazing.
Hey, that’s near me! Aren’t I supposed to get some kind of notification when perverted trees move into my neighborhood?
These are great!
these trees really r amazing…do u knw wat type of a tree they r? or like wat species? its so weird to think that these r actually living trees…..kindda cruel too…
rakhi - most were Sycamores, but there are also some Ash trees still alive as well (maybe others).
Tisha– The lifespan of a tree depends on it’s species. Fruit trees don’t live as long as others.
The oldest living California giant redwoods clock in at about 200 years old.
Believe it or not, some very slow growing species have survived for 1,000 (yep, that’s ONE THOUSAND) years or more.
Rakhi– All trees have bark to heal wounds, and the wounds often leave scars. It’s not uncommon to find trees whose trunks have grown “through” wire fences or around other things.
In the eastern U.S., there are still living trees that, as saplings, were bent over (and pinned with a rock) as trail markers a hundred or more years ago. I’ve seeen ‘em. If I can find photos, I’ll ask Anita B. to post them.
Rakhi– One other thing. It wasn’t “kinda cruel.”
Had Axel Erlandson NOT done what he did, none of the trees would have been cared for so well for so long, and would have been cut down long ago.
As far as I know, all the trees volunteered for the experiment and had signed waiver forms.
Bunk
Yeah. I’ve seen grafted trees like that. Freaks me out everytime.
this s sooooo cool. so did the earth like bend n stuff 2 do this or what.
Bunk–CA redwoods and sequoias can predate Christ. There are Jeffery pines that are 3000 years old.
what a coincidence to see the circus trees on your blog. i’m eagerly awaiting the reopening of bonfante gardens. my 3yr old calls it bonfarty gardens.