Wardholme Torrey Pine, Carpinteria, CA - Exceptional Trees on Waymarking.com

The Wardholme Torrey Pine is located on Carpinteria Ave and considered the largest Torrey Pine in the world. This tree was brought from Santa Rosa Island when still a seedling and planted in Carpinteria in 1988 by Judge Thomas Ward, near his home. (The name of the tree represents this history). Local legend indicates that in the 1880's there was a polite but heated competition between the residents of the city, to see who could grow the most unique plants, and when Judge Ward received this tree as a gift from his friend Townshend Stith Brandegee, he proudly planted it directly in front of his home.

The tree now measures approximately 126 feet tall, 20' 5" circumference, 130' branch spread. When Florence Ward inherited the property she dutifully continued caring for the tree and saw that it received professional maintenance; it was Florence who first proposed the tree should become an official landmark and be protected. In 1968 the tree was recognized as the city's "1st Official Landmark" and it is also a state Historic Landmark.

There was a celebration in 1988 for the tree's 100-year anniversary. In 2005 there was a movement to save the tree from potential development of the lot by commercial and residential developers. In 2007, Torrey Pine seedlings were planted at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden at the Hay Hill Campus in Carpinteria; the origin of the 460 planted seedlings included some from the Wardholme Torrey Pine, some from Santa Rosa Island, and others that had been hybridized.

Wardholm Torrey Pine
5160 Carpinteria Ave
Carpinteria CA 93013


(visit link)
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THE PLAQUES AT THE TREE READ:

Torrey Pine Centennial Celebration
May 14, 1988
Presented by:
City of Carpinteria,
Chamber of Commerce and Historical Museum

AND

Wardholme Torrey Pine
1888
Largest known in existence-
Historical Landmark No 1
City of Carpinteria


General Information about Torrey Pines:
Pinus torreyana

The Torrey pine has a lifespan of approximately a century and are very slow to grow, averaging 40-60' high and 25-40' wide. (They will grow to other sizes when transplanted and cultivated). It is one of the rarest pines in the United States, and is special due to its pinon nuts and five needs in a bunch on its branches (most pines that have pinon nuts have only 2 needles per bunch). The cones on the Torrey Pine can weight a pound and measure up to 6 inches long (the nuts are inside). The pinon nuts are edible but extremely hard. The Torrey pine is located only in the coastal chaparral of San Diego County, California.

Genus/Species: Pinus torreyana Height: 126 Girth: 20 Method of obtaining height: Reliable source Method of obtaining girth: Reliable source Location type: Private property Age: 123 Historical significance: This is a rare tree (Torrey Pines are only found in California), and old. Planter: Judge Thomas Ward Website reference: [Web Link] Walk time: 1 Parking coordinates: Not Listed Photograpy coordinates: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
A closeup picture of your GPS receiver in your hand, with the tree in the background, is required. If the tree is on private property, this closeup photograph with the tree in the background may be taken from the nearest public vantage point without actually going to the tree.
The required photograph does not need to show the entire tree, but the individual tree must be recognizable.

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