General Noble (tree) facts for kids
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The General Noble Tree was a huge Giant Sequoia tree. It grew in the Converse Basin area, which is part of the Giant Sequoia National Monument in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. This tree was one of the biggest trees on Earth! But in 1892, it was cut down. Its wood was used to create a special exhibit for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
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What Was the General Noble Tree?
The General Noble Tree was a giant sequoia. It stood about 300 feet (91 meters) tall. Its base measured around 95 feet (29 meters) around. It was the second largest tree in the Converse Basin Grove. It was also one of the top 30 biggest trees by volume before it was cut down. In fact, it was the largest tree ever cut down for display.
Why Was It Cut Down?
The tree was named General Noble to honor John Willock Noble. He was the Secretary of the Interior at the time. He helped create Sequoia National Park to protect many giant sequoias. However, the General Noble Tree stood just outside the park's borders. This meant it was not protected by federal law. Because of this, it could be cut down.
How Was It Moved?
Cutting and moving the General Noble Tree was a huge job. Workers had to hollow out the tree. Then, they divided it into many sections. Some of these sections weighed over 4 tons each! Teams of 16 mules pulled these heavy sections. They used special wagons over a rough mountain road.
The King's River Lumber Company did this work. They cut the tree into 46 smaller parts. These parts were then loaded onto trains. It took 11 railroad cars to carry them from California to Chicago. The total cost to cut, ship, and set up the tree was over $10,000.
Where Was the Tree Displayed?
The General Noble Tree was shown at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Some people found it hard to believe it was a real tree. They even called it the "California Hoax."
After the exposition, the tree was moved to Washington D.C. There, it was turned into a house-like structure. It was placed in front of the Department of Agriculture's main building. It was a popular tourist attraction for over 40 years. Eventually, it decayed and was removed.
What Is the Chicago Stump?
Today, you can still see what's left of the General Noble Tree. Its remains are known as the Chicago Stump. You can find it in the Converse Basin Grove where the tree once stood.
See also
- List of largest giant sequoias
- List of individual trees
