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Circus Trees

The Circus Trees were originally grown and created by Axel Erlandson, son of a Swedish immigrant. Inspired by observing a natural graft between two sycamore trees, Erlandson began to shape trees using intricate techniques. His techniques resulted in woven wonders made from living wood. The branches were carefully bent rather than cut and became complex and compound designs.

This botanical adventure began in Hilmar, CA in the 1920s. Erlandson planted the "Four Legged Giant," surprising his family when he brought the four trees together into one. In 1946, Erlandson moved his family and his trees to Scotts Valley, CA. A year later he opened "The Tree Circus" for locals and tourists to experience the wonder of the "World's Strangest Trees." By 1957 Erlandson had created more than 70 Circus Trees. Ripley's Believe It Or Not featured the trees in the 40s and 50s. In 1957 a Life magazine article gave the trees notoriety. After Erlandson's death in 1964, the trees became part of a Scotts Valley attraction know as "The Lost World." In 1977 the property was sold with only 40 trees surviving.

A local Santa Cruz architect, Mark Primack, led a valient effort to save the trees, even risking arrest for trespassing in order to water and feed the trees. Keeping as many alive as he could, Primack's efforts finally took root when they attracted the attention of tree lover Michael Bonfante. In 1985, Bonfante rescued the surviving 29 Circus Trees and gave them a home in Gilroy, CA.

There are 25 Circus Trees still alive today.

--from the Bonfante Gardens "Guide To The Circus Trees"


There are nineteen trees you can see at the Bonfante Gardens. I've taken pictures of eighteen; there are two Spiral Staircase trees and they look the same. The first group of ten trees below can be seen outside the park, planted around the ticket booths. They are free to look at, though you will have to pay a parking fee. The remaining eight trees are all inside the park and require the price of admission to see.

Links: Bonfante Gardens - Circus Tree history

Trees Outside The Park
	Squat Curvy Scallops 3 European Ash			Revolving Door Acer Sp.
	Spring Vine European Ash			Short Table 2 Box Elders
	Double Hearts Acer Sp.			Compound Eight Box Elder
	Sideway Rope Rectangle European Ash			Spiral Staircase 2 European Ash
	Picture Frame Cork Oak			Figure Y Cork Oak
Trees Inside The Park
	Basket Tree 6 American Sycamores			Four legged Giant 4 American Sycamores
	Arch 2 American Sycamores			Almost Circle Cage 10 American Sycamores
	Emblem 3 American Sycamores			Zig-Zag American Sycamore
	Oil Well 3 Box Elders			Chain Link American Sycamore

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