This regal behemoth, a Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii), characterized by its deep, fibrous, vertically shredded bark and a multistem, fused trunk base, sits on the Empire Ranch in the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. Although there is no surface water nearby, its size, approximately seven feet wide at the base, and age, 120-180 years old, are indicative of a shallow depth to groundwater from the Cienegas Creek system. Possibly germinated before Arizona statehood, this tree and its pleasant spot became known to me on a recent outing in my side-by-side with a couple of grandkids. Cora Krizan was prompted by her older brother, Henry, to assume the pose of a “Queen of Trees” before climbing into position.
When I showed the photo to her father, he said that he wanted to make certain that it was actual size and not AI-enhanced. It was not.
Previously in “Great Trees of Eastern Santa Cruz County”:
“The western sycamore on the way to Gardner Canyon” by Kat Cudney
“The contorted oak of Piper Gulch” by Wayne Tomasi
“The Grand Sycamore of Harshaw Road” by Angie Soto Jessup
“The Mesquite on Santa Rita Ave.” by German Quiroga
“The Cottonwood at the Lochiel Schoolhouse” by Angie Soto Jessup
“A Most Magnificent Cottonwood in Canelo” by Bill Steen
“Elgin’s Movie Star Cottonwood” by Sue Downing
“The Wise Old Emory Oak of Mowry” by Perin McNelis
“A Pleistocene Juniper” by Jim Koweek
“The Leaning Pine of Duquesne” by Bekki Jaynes
“The Hollow Tree of Harshaw Townsite” by Cassina Farley
“The Mexican Blue Oak of Sonoita Creek” by Vince Pinto
DO YOU KNOW A GREAT TREE? Submit photos (or artwork!) and a description of your favorite tree to prtadast@gmail.com. It can be any tree on public or private property in Eastern Santa Cruz County. (You don’t have to disclose the tree’s exact location unless you want to.) Tell us what makes the tree great: maybe it’s the tree’s size, shape or age; or its leaf color; or the animals and insects who inhabit it; or the special events or family traditions associated with it; or perhaps something more personal. Whatever it is, share it with us. Let’s celebrate our area’s natural splendor and heritage!