Moreton Bay Fig Tree (Santa Barbara, California) facts for kids
The Moreton Bay Fig Tree in Santa Barbara, California, is a truly amazing plant! Many people believe it is the biggest Ficus macrophylla tree in the entire United States. Ficus macrophylla is the scientific name for this type of fig tree, which originally comes from Australia.
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A Tree's Journey: How It Grew
This giant tree started as a tiny seedling. In 1876, a sailor visited Santa Barbara and gave a young Moreton Bay fig tree seedling to a local girl. She planted it at 201 State Street.
Moving to a New Home
About a year later, the girl moved away. Her friend, Adeline Crabb, carefully moved the small tree to a new spot. This new home was at the corner of Montecito and Chapala streets, very close to the ocean. This land belonged to the Southern Pacific Transportation Company at the time.
Protecting a Giant: Landmark Status
The Moreton Bay Fig Tree grew and grew, becoming a famous sight in Santa Barbara.
Becoming a Historic Landmark
Because of its size and history, the tree was officially named a historic landmark in 1970. This means it's a special place that is protected. In 1976, the land where the tree stands was given to the City of Santa Barbara.
Joining the California Register
The tree has also been added to the California Register of Big Trees. This is a list of the largest and most important trees in California. To keep its roots safe, a chain barrier has been placed around the tree. This barrier is as big as the tree's wide canopy (the leafy top part).
Impressive Size and Location
You can visit this incredible tree at the Amtrak Train Station, located at 209 State Street in Santa Barbara.
Measuring the Giant
In July 1997, experts measured the tree to find out just how big it was.
- The distance around its trunk (called the circumference), measured about 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) from the ground, was an amazing 41.5 feet (12.6 meters)!
- The average spread of its branches (how wide its canopy reaches) was about 176 feet (53.6 meters).
- The total height of the tree was around 80 feet (24.4 meters).
