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The weird, whimsical, wonderful Circus Trees are actual living trees that were originally shaped and grafted by Swedish immigrant Axel Erlandson starting in the 1920s. Decades later, they were rescued from obscurity, carefully moved out of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and transplanted in Gilroy by park founder Michael Bonfante.
Some of them, like the incredible Basket Tree, majestic Arch Tree, and awe-inspiring Four-Legged Giant, are featured in prominent locations throughout the park. Others might be a little harder to find. Take a “tree treasure hunt” through the park and see if you can spot them all!
The Circus Trees
Additional Circus Trees
There are a few more Circus Trees that are not currently on display in the park.
These tree are planted backstage near the Operations building and viewable if leaving the Park or parking in Lot B:
- Needle & Thread (European Ash)
- Flat 3/4 Round Fan (European Ash)
The remaining Circus Trees not viewable to the public include:
- Upright Eight (American Sycamore)
- Double Corkscrew (aka Double Twist) (Box Elder)
- Birdcage (American Sycamore)
- Double Spectacle (aka Double Sideways Eight) (American Sycamore)
The Story of the Circus Trees
The incredible Circus Trees now found at Gilroy Gardens are a collection of sycamores, box elders, ash and Spanish cork trees that were originally shaped and grafted into whimsical shapes starting in the 1920s (over 100 years ago!) by Swedish immigrant Axel Erlandson.
Inspired by observing a natural graft between two trees, Erlandson began to shape his woven wonders made from “threads” of living wood. He spent over 40 years shaping the trees into complex designs in shapes like hearts, lightning bolts, basket weaves, and rings.
In 1946, Erlandson opened the “Tree Circus” in Scotts Valley for locals and tourists to experience the wonder of “The World’s Strangest Trees.” The trees were featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not and gained even more notoriety after a Life magazine article in 1957. But in the decades following Erlandson’s death in 1964, the trees were mostly forgotten and neglected.
For many years, Santa Cruz architect Mark Primack led a valiant effort to save the trees and keep them alive. His efforts attracted the attention of tree lover Michael Bonfante, who launched the “80-Ton Tree Caper” in 1985 to carefully dig up the surviving trees, transport them over the Santa Cruz Mountains, and transplant them at what is now Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park.
We think you will agree—they are truly amazing “living masterpieces”!
