Monday, January 9, 2017

SEQUOIA TOPPLED



 The Pioneer Cabin Tree

Last weekend, during a violent storm, a famous tree in Northern California was toppled. A giant sequoia tree, known as the Pioneer Cabin, went down faster than Roberto Duran when  he was knocked out by Tommy Hearns (that was the only analogy I could think of).

The massive tree was located in Calaveras Big Tree Park (aptly named) in Calaveras County. It had been hollowed out in the 1880's to allow tourists to pass through it.

 This is what's left of the Pioneer Cabin Tree. Fortunately no one was under it when it toppled.

So, why am I suddenly interested in big trees?

When I was eleven (or twelve) years old, I saw the Pioneer Cabin Tree with my parents when we were on vacation in Northern California.

Unfortunately I can't find a photo of that particular tree but I did find one of another giant redwood, taken during that trip. 


This is my Mom and I standing by the 276 foot tall Chandelier Tree in Leggett, California. This tree was hollowed out in the early 1930's by a man named Charlie Underwood.

 This is the Chandelier Tree as it looks in recent years.

The thing I remember most vividly about our family tree trip is that I happened to get mud on my shoes while looking at the Chandelier Tree. My father went completely ballistic and wouldn't let me get back into the car.

He forced me to get a brush, find some water, and thoroughly scrub my shoes perfectly clean before we could resume the vacation.

That harrowing incident knocked all the fun out of seeing the trees, but it was our typical way of life.

TIMBER!!!

Note:
I've always thought that cutting tunnels through these gorgeous trees is an act of vandalism and seriously weakens their structure. It's very possible that this contributed to the demise of the Pioneer Cabin tree. 

27 comments:

  1. Your Dad was not cut out to be a Daddy. So sorry you had to live through so much deranged way of temper from him.

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    1. That's the understatement of the year, Paula. My father had an uncanny knack for ruining every occasion.

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  2. It is indeed sad that our dear tree went down is such a wild storm. I live 'across the river' from Calaveras Big Trees. Have always enjoyed being among the "giants", kinda puts you in your place in the big scheme of things. Guess the poor old thing just didnt have one more storm in her ! I think of trees as female as we tend to keep on going, no matter what storms hit us. Thanks for you blog on our local celebrity.

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    1. I appreciate your input. I've always been in awe of those gigantic beauties. I'm thinking, however, that cutting tunnels through them must weaken their structure considerably. I have a feeling the tree would still be standing if it hadn't been hollowed out.

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  3. you forgot the part
    where you used his toothbrush
    to clean your shoes...
    there's no doubt in my mind
    that cutting the trees
    makes them more fragile :(

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    1. I never thought of using his toothbrush but it's a damn good idea (I was too innocent back then).
      I'm wondering if cutting tunnels through trees is illegal nowadays - - if not, it should be.

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  4. It has always felt like a cruel devastation to me, too. :( I agree--should be illegal!

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    1. It probably is illegal now. At least I haven't heard of any recent attempts to tunnel through trees.

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  5. I agree with you. I think it's horrible for them to cut holes in the trees too. Making them fragile is the least of it. Somewhere in my parent's stuff is a picture of me and my brother by the tree that toppled (well before it did) too.

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    1. I hope you can find the photo of your brother and you by the tree - it would be interesting to see. I have a few more photos of the Chandelier Tree, but I'd have to go on a scavenger hunt to find them.

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  6. Before we had our cabin at Big Bear we used to take short trips to Sequoia and King's Canyon. I don't actually remember these jaunts as they were before I was five years old. I don't know which hollowed out tree we saw (maybe both) but I do recall seeing pictures of it during our family slide shows. It is too bad that people desecrated these magnificent trees but perhaps they didn't know any better years ago.

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    1. I'm wondering just how many hollowed out trees there really are. I only remember those two, but there are probably more.
      One of our California neighbors had a cabin in Big Bear and he often invited my family up there. I was in my early teens at the time.

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  7. I vaguely recall my parents making the requisite visit to the Cabin, but can't say it made an impression.
    I'm in total agreement with your theory about weakening the trees' structure ... their very soul.

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    1. It seems like a lot of us made the pilgrimage (reluctantly or not) to see the Cabin Tree when we were kids. I'm trying to remember if my father actually drove through either of these trees. Probably not - since he wouldn't have wanted to risk "ruining" the car...

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  8. I'm surprised that Sequoia even stood as long as it did. Being hollowed out like that weakened it. I wouldn't think it to be legal these days, but you never know. There's nothing quite like walking through an old growth forest. Such a shame your dad ruined so many occasions.

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    1. That's exactly what I thought. I'm surprised that it had been standing ever since it was hollowed out in the 1880s. It must have made a HORRENDOUS crash when it fell!

      My dad managed to ruin almost every occasion I can think of (no exaggeration...).

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  9. Jon,
    My friends Bob and Jim visited this tree some years ago. I hinted that I would have loved to take the trip with them. It they took their dog instead. I had forgotten about thus lively old tree. Maybe I'll get to see it before I topple over.
    Ron

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    1. It's a shame that the dog got to see the tree rather than you. Who knows - you might hit the jackpot on the "Price is Right" in Feb. Then you and Pat can go up north and visit the sequoias!

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  10. It's funny the things we remember from childhood. I'll often bring up things that I remember and my mom won't have any clue they happened! Yet they stuck with me for all these years. I, too, am fascinated by big trees, by the way. Often I look up toward the top and think of how the world around them has changed while they've been around...

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    1. We all seem to have varying memories concerning the same incidents. I have an incredibly good memory, but my mom always remembered things that I had never thought of.
      The incredible age of those magnificent redwoods always put our insignificance into perspective.
      Thanks for your comment.

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  11. How sad a grand old tree fell. It's a wonder it didn't take other over when it fell, or when it came down, didn't leave a hole the size of a meteor hit. And your right, I'm sure the tunneling must, over time weaken the tree. Eventually.

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    1. That photo taken after the tree had toppled really surprised me. It doesn't look like the roots were very deep. And, as you observed, all the other nearby trees are still standing.

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  12. p.s.
    what design is
    that on your
    Mom's dress?

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    1. I thought some observant person might ask that! The design was a baby seal. That was just an old, makeshift dress that my Mom wore all summer. For some reason it was one of her favorites - most likely for comfort.

      I have some other photos of her wearing the same dress and if I find one, I'll post it.

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    2. I thought that's
      what it was
      cute

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  13. Jon, I've always questioned the logic of tunneling through trees. It's so much easier to to simply walk around them.

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    1. I wonder how many vehicles ever got damaged and/or stuck while trying to drive through tree tunnels. The entire concept is a bad idea, Geo.

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