Photo above: World's Largest Torrey Pine in Carpinteria, California. Photo by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.

Carpinteria, California

"Carpinteria (meaning "Carpentry") is a small seaside city in southeastern Santa Barbara County, California. Located on the Central Coast of California, it had a population of 13,264 at the 2020 census.

The Wardholme Torrey Pine, the largest known Torrey pine tree on earth, is located in downtown Carpinteria.

Carpinteria is a popular surf destination; the city embraced the slogan "World's Safest Beach" in 1912, which it still uses today."(wikipedia)

"The Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana) is a rare pine species in California, United States. It is a critically endangered species growing only in coastal San Diego County, and on Santa Rosa Island, offshore from Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County.[3] The Torrey pine is endemic to the California coastal sage and chaparral ecoregion." (wikipedia)

"In San Diego County it is considered a local icon, where it lends its name to Torrey Pines State Reserve, Torrey Pines State Beach, Torrey Pines Golf Course, Torrey Pines High School, and Torrey Pines Gliderport, as well as numerous local roads and businesses (e.g., Torrey Pines Bank, Torrey Pines Property Management Company, Torrey Pines Landscape Company, and Torrey Pines Law Group."

"Designated a California Historical Point of Interest in 1968. This tree was a seedling brought from Santa Rosa Island in 1888 and planted by Judge Thomas Ward at his home, The Historical Marker Database reports.

"The tree is 130 feet tall, 20'5" trunk circumference, 130' branch spread, and over 130 years old. The average Torrey Pine is 30’ tall and can live 100 years. They are rare, and endangered, living only in some coastal areas of Southern California, with fewer than 100 alive today."

Photo above: World's Largest Torrey Pine in Carpinteria, California. Photo by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.

"It started as a seedling in 1888, planted by local Carpinteria resident Judge Thomas Ward as part of a contest to see who could grow the largest Torrey pine tree, the Atlas Obscura reports.

"The Wardholme Torrey Pine now stands a proud 126 feet tall, with a 130 feet branch spread and a more than 20-foot circumference, making it the largest known example of its kind."

" In 1968 the towering Wardholme tree was designated as the First Official Landmark of Carpinteria, a quaint beachside community located a few miles south of Santa Barbara. The celebrity tree later marked its 100th birthday in 1988 with a local celebration.

"In 2005, the Wardholme found itself literally on the chopping block to make room for residential and commercial development. Thankfully, resident petitions saved the record-setting giant," the Atlas Obscura reports.

"Local legend indicates that in the 1880's there was a polite but heated competition between the city residents 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 roadsideamerica.com reports.

"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."

Genus/Species: Pinus torreyana
Height: 126
Girth: 20
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

(Source: waymarking.com) 

Photo above: World's Largest Torrey Pine in Carpinteria, California. Photo by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.

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

"The Wardholme Torrey Pine is truly amazing. Visiting this iconic beaumoth takes only a few minutes, but it's well worth the experience. Located in a now-vacant lot, the tree was planted in 1888 from a seedling brought from nearby Santa Rosa Island."

"Wow, is this pine HUGE or what. This pine is recognized by big deal arborists to be the largest of its kind. It is surely the biggest pine I have ever seen and worth a short stop to take a picture and be in awe of another of natures creations."