A few miles before the traveler reaches Seaside, hidden on the north side of Hwy 26, is one BIG tree. There are a few signs, but it is all too easy to zip right by in the press of heavy Coast traffic, and never realize you just missed experiencing Oregon's largest tree. In a State blessed with many giant tree specimens of all species, this coastal Sitka Spruce is the Champ. At least in the category most commonly accepted, that of "dbh," which stands for "diameter breast high." The tape put around this 750 year old tree needs to be over fifty feet long-- 52.5 feet to be exact. My son exclaimed that the longest dimension of our whole house is less than that! The tree stands slightly over 200 feet high, and appears to have had it top blasted off at least once by lightening in the past, as a large scar snakes down its mighty trunk (visible in the bright frame about fifty feet above the boys' heads).
Page last revised 10-16-2004