Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-06-08
JUSTICE FIELDS GREAT OAK.

Said to be the Largest IN CaH1Ofnla anu
to Cover Several Acres.
Long before California became a part
of American territory there existed in
the vicinity of Monterey, and there still
stands there after half century of oc-
cupation, wonderful specimen of the
live oak indigenous to this state. 1t
was marvel to the Mexicans of those
days, and was pointed out as one OF the
curiosities of the land to the; few Wis
itors to the coast.
Among those to whom the natural
wonder had been shown in the days OF
Mexican domination was young passed
midshipman of the United States navy,
whose ship had anchored in Monterey
bay. His name was Timothy Beals
Field, and he is now long since dead.
The midshipman belonged to family
whose members had been distinguished
in science and business, in the pulpit
and in literature, at the bar and on the
bench of the Supreme court. He was
SO amazed by the sight of the marvellous
tree that he sketched it and wrote an
account of it to his father, a clergyman
residing among the Berkshire hills of
Massachusetts. This incident was long
forgotten. It was only last year, on the
occasion of his visit to California, that
the recollection came to the mind of
Justice Stephen ]. Field. A party was
proved to be even more extraordinary
than as described by the young mid
shipman to his father.
After exploring it's labyrinths, the par
ty returned to San Francisco. Soon
after Justice Field went East on his
official duties, and while there Mrs.
Field wrote an account of their visit
to the tree, which reads:
Rounding the lagoon we saw ahead
of us large sand hill with crown of
green, and as we passed the hamlet Of
Seaside we learned that we were APP
preaching our Mecca. A climb in the
sand and up few rickety steps brought
us under the sheltering branches of the
largest tree so far known to Califor-
nians-not in height Though its height
is great, but in it's capacity to shelters
| remarked that | thought 800 persons
could stand comfortably beside me, but
learned man IN our party said rather
5000. Since the midshipman wrote of it
the tree must have expanded vastly, for
1t now covers more acres than one. Its
trunk is not to be seen; the fine light
sand has drifted in to the depth of thirty
or forty feet and covered and protected
this relic. Its branches remind one of
the LAGOON; it seemed almost as if
they not only could shelter but would
embrace us, too. Each branch is the
size of an ordinary tree, and there are
numbers OF. them spreading out latl-
tudinously, with other branches Oh these,
shooting upward to the sun, the foliage
being all on top and very dense.
''The, tree is Of the variety known az
the California live oak, quercus wren.
It's leaves are small, fresh and crisp, and
of vitality unimpaired by years, and
they do not fall with the seasons.
1T is said that no one has ever yet
seen a leaf of the live oak unfold or
fall.
''The outside form Of the tree is beau
tiful, being entirely circular, and as
you sit under it's shelter and admire you
cannot but speculate as to it's age. Its
gnarled and crooked branches proclaim
great antiquity, it's lovely green perpet-
ual youth.
ut may be added that ever since the
rediscovery of the tree it is popularity
known as Justice Fields oak San
EranciScn GhI.anicln