Northern California is full of bizarre sights, but few are as strange as this weird garden in the town of Gilroy. In fact, this garden has become famous for the interesting assortments of trees contained within it. Referred to as “circus trees”, these things look like they were ripped straight from the pages of a Dr. Seuss book. However, there’s actually a fascinating story behind why these trees look the way they do. This is the type of attraction you need to see for yourself in order to fully appreciate its weirdness, so keep reading to check it out!
You might not be able to believe your eyes when you come across the famous Circus Trees at Gilroy Gardens. At first, you may think these odd-looking trees are just part of the quirky theme park, but you'll be surprised to know that their history goes way back.
In fact, the trees are the product of one man's decades-long experiment. Axel Erlandson was born in Sweden but his family later settled in California. He would grow up to become a bean farmer with a wife and daughter. The trees were Erlandson's attempt to entertain his family, but they became so much more than that.
Erlandson used a process known as inosculation in order to create these bizarre-looking trees. Inosculation is when one tree bonds to another, creating some sort of mutant tree in the process. Erlandson purposely grafted together different trees in order to create strange yet pleasing shapes.
This process actually took a long time. All in all, the bean farmer spent over 40 years growing his experimental trees. His very first "creation" is known as the Four Legged Giant and was created with four different trees.
In 1945, Erlandson opened the "Tree Circus" in which visitors could pay to see these incredible trees for themselves. The circus even got the attention of Robert Ripley and was featured in his magazine several times. However, the tree circus never saw a ton of success and it was shut down in 1963.
Erlandson died shortly after and many of his trees were seemingly forgotten. By the late 70s, only around 40 of the 70 Circus Trees remained and they were scheduled to be destroyed. However, they ended up being relocated in 1985 to what is now known as Gilroy Gardens.
Today, you can view 25 of Axel Erlandson's original Circus Trees. The Four Legged Giant even remains! These trees may look totally bizarre, but they actually represent one man's entirely unique imagination. Seeing them in-person is a must, so check them out at 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020.
Did you know the story behind the famous circus trees? Make visiting this weird garden a priority the next time you’re in the area. Want more weirdness? Check out our list of The 11 Strangest Places In Northern California for more.
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