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Submitted: June 24, 2010
Image Size: 17.9 MB
Resolution: 2848×4272

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The Octopus Treeby *11thDimensionPhoto

Photography / Animals, Plants & Nature / Landscapes

The Octopus Tree, also known as The Council Tree is located a few hundred feet from Cape Meares Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast.

The Octopus Tree is a Sitka Spruce shaped like an upside down Octopus. No one knows its actual age because that would require chopping down the tree to count the rings. However, The Octopus tree is believed to be hundreds of years old dating back to when the Indians lived in the area. In fact, there are rumors that the Octopus Tree was shaped like an octopus by the Indians to hold their canoes with their dead in it. So, the Octopus tree could have been an old burial site.

The Friends of Cape Meares Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge donated a sign next to the Octopus Tree. The sign reads: The Forces that shaped this unique Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) have been debated for many years. Whether natural events or possible Native Americans were the cause remains a mystery.

The tree measures more than 46 feet in circumference and has no central trunk. Instead, limbs extend horizontally from the base as much as 16 feet before turning upward. It is 105 feet tall and is estimated to be 250 to 300 years old.

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~ChaosOverRide Sep 2, 2011

Fascinating history! I'll have to check it out the next time I'm on the Oregon Coast.

Thank you! This is a gorgeous image, too. You did an excellent job capturing it's size.

*11thDimensionPhoto Sep 2, 2011 Hobbyist Photographer

Thank you. You should check it out. One of the most amazing trees I've ever seen.

~ChaosOverRide Oct 1, 2011

You're welcome! I've added it to my list. Hopefully I can get there this winter. Hehe

*PagodaComics Aug 23, 2011 Student General Artist

oh what a tree... o.o
say is that a spiece of tree or just a "mutated", distorted shaped one..?
since it looks like the rest of the trees in the trunk and the leaves..like larches maybe..?
ah oregon? my friend lives there