Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-01-05
THE MAMMOTH TREE GROVE OF
CALIFORNIA.
WAsHiSoroS MAamorn GnovE,
NAV 70. Iaii


in San Joaquin county and took up my line Of
march for this locality, and arrived here about
8 7. NJ. yesterday On my way hiiher pass
ed through Sonur and Columbia, crossing the
Sianislaus at "Abbey's ferry" in the moun-
iains. The road from Sonora 10 this place
(Big Tree) is in splendid erder, and can irav-
elled with perfect safety in buggy or carriage.
The distance from Sonora, via Murphy's Camp,
is twenty-five miles. On arriving at this place
was much surprised to find first class hotel.
with every convenience Of a amilar establish
ment in a large city. Ii is well flled up for
the accommodation of ladies', being amply pro-
vided with bedrooms, parlors, &c; there is al
a comnodops stable on the ground, which
will accommodate some forty hors.s.
In the body Of the big tree there is house,
II by so, which contains two fno bowling al
leys. The stump of the tree is intended for a
ball room. measured the stump myself, al a
distance Of eight feet fiom the ground, and
found il to be iwonly.six feet in diameter at the
narrowest place. ] am indebted to Mr. Chas.
S. Stevens for his kindness ia guiding me
through the forest, and for giving me the names
Of the trees.
The Mammoth Tree Grove contains in its
valley eighty-fve monster trees in an area of
fifty acres The "Big Tree" is not the larg-
est tree in the grove, bu, it is the largest per-
feet one. II is nneiy-6ye feet iu circumference,
and measured, alier it was cot down, 800 feet
in length, the stump standing eight feet high.
1t is estimated by the grains Of the stump to be
5000 years old. Five men were occupied %
days in telling it (Which was done by boring,)
and three weeks TO strip oil its bark 10 the
height Of ifly-two feet.
The "Mnor's Cabin is eighty feet in cir
eumference and nearly 300 feet high il is open
n from, aboui seventeen feet.
The Three Sisters" are a group evidently
grown from the same root, about 300 feet high.
and ninety-iwo feet in circumference. They
are perfect, and the mos, beautiful ones in the
whole group.
The Pioneers Cabin" is i50 fee, high !;
where the top is broken of i, has small OPEN
ing through it.
The "Od Bachelor" is quite idrlorn look
ing gentleman, having many rents in his back.
and the roughes, looking bark in the whole
group, and is 300 feet high, and sixty feet in
circumference.
The Husband aud Wife, are about $50
feet high, and each 60 feet in crcumference.-
They seem very aaeeiionaie, leaning toward
each other at the top.
The Family Group consists Of twenty-siX
trees, the father, mother and twen,y-four chill
dren The father, from appearance, was blown
down many years ago This tree measured
llO feet in circumference, aud the supposed
haaR haaRs ha aRSRa &saEo WIS VS. asa bfdfin bfs s En- S,
falling against another tree, is 800 feet; 1t i,
hollow the entire length, and large enough ic
, ride into on horseback. Nearly half the trunk
is embedded in the ground, and measures %
feet in diameter above the surface.
The "IIermt" stands entirely by itself, and
is 320 feet high and IS feet in circumference
exceedingly straight and symmetrical
The "Herculesn is $50 feet high and I07
feet in circumference this is the largest stand
ing tree In the grove, and would make 72o ,ooo
feet Of lumber it, like many other large trees
is imperfect, being burned on one side eight
feet.
The "Mother" is OIL feet in circumference
, and 3a7 feet high.
, The Pennsylvania, " so called by two young
ladies of Philadelphia, is "a feet in diameter
and 3l5 feet high.
, The North Carolina" is 81 fee, across III,
base and $40 feet high.
= The screen Mountain State" is 90 feet il
, diameter and 300 feet high.
, The ''Moiher and Son" are together % fee
in circumference the Mother is 1926 feet high
and the Son 300 feet.
The "Siamese Twins and their Guardian ,
/ The twins have one trunk but their bodies arc
separate a, a height OF 40 feet. They are 9Oe
feet high. The Guardian stands by lher side
and is so feet in circumference and 325 fee
high.
'rhe "Old Maid" stands single in her grief
her head, unlike any other trunk in the grove
is entirely bare, and slightly bowing. He
height is 500 feet, and circumference GO feet.
, The "Adie and Mary are named after tw,
, young ladies who made the first buggy drive tt
the grove The trees are nearly 800 feet higl
and 65 feet in circumference, and are very hand
0 some.
The 'Horseback Ride" is an old fallen hol
low trunk Of $50 feet in length il is scparat
, into two parts. The space ridden through !,
F. IS feo, and is le feet in diameter in the clear
e The "Uncle Toms Cabin" is about 300 fee
high and 90 feet ia circumference. The cabii
has narrow entrance two and half feet il
width, and will seat 25 persons it is ten fee
/ high.
The 'Brde of the Forest" is not the larg
: est tree but is noted for having the smooihes
: bark of any in the grove. Il is ESQ feet higl
' and 70 feet in circumference.
The "Beauiy of the Forest is 65 feet il
circumference and full 800 Ioet high it is yer,