Octopus Tree (Oregon)
{{Short description|Tree in Tillamook County, Oregon, U.S.}}
{{distinguish|text=the tree octopus}}
{{use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox tree
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| image= Octopus Tree, Cape Meares, Oregon.png
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| location= Cape Meares, Tillamook County, Oregon, United States
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| coordinates={{coord|45.4863|-123.9780|type:landmark_region:US|display=inline,title}}
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The Octopus Tree (also known as the Candelabra Tree, Council Tree, and Monstrosity Tree) is a Sitka spruce tree on Cape Meares in Tillamook County, Oregon, United States.{{Cite web|title=Octopus Tree of Oregon|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/octopus-tree-of-oregon|access-date=2021-07-25|website=Atlas Obscura|language=en|archive-date=2021-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512190127/https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/octopus-tree-of-oregon|url-status=live}}
Description
The tree is approximately {{convert|105|ft|m|-1|abbr=in|order=flip}} tall and has no primary trunk. Its circumference is approximately {{convert|46|ft|m|round=5|abbr=in|order=flip}}. The tree is estimated to be 250–300 years old and has been described as a "natural wonder".{{Cite web|last=Jamie|first=Hale|date=2019-01-27|title=Cape Meares has big views, big trees and one little lighthouse on the Oregon coast|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/01/1b1ddd10395807/cape-meares-has-big-views-big-trees-and-one-little-lighthouse-on-the-oregon-coast.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-25|website=The Oregonian|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129173314/https://www.oregonlive.com/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/01/1b1ddd10395807/cape-meares-has-big-views-big-trees-and-one-little-lighthouse-on-the-oregon-coast.html}} According to the Statesman Journal, "historians say was used by local tribes for ceremonies and was trained into its distinctive octopus shape".{{Cite web|last1=Urness|first1=Zach|last2=Davis|first2=David|date=2019-05-15|title=Visit and climb inside these 9 Oregon Coast lighthouses. Here's how|url=https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/travel/outdoors/2019/05/15/oregon-lighthouses-tour-cape-meares-yaquina-head-tillamook-rock/3627309002/|access-date=2021-07-25|website=Statesman Journal|language=en-US}}
Reception
The Octopus Tree has been designated a state heritage tree by the Oregon Travel Experience.{{Cite web|last=Richard|first=Terry|date=2015-07-07|title=Cape Meares, Bayocean Spit pack 1-2 Tillamook punch|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2015/07/cape_meares_bayocean_spit_pack.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723222552/https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2015/07/cape_meares_bayocean_spit_pack.html|archive-date=23 July 2021|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-25|website=The Oregonian|language=en}} Jamie Hale included the tree in The Oregonian{{'s}} 2017 lists of "The 12 most iconic landmarks on the Oregon coast" and "The 40 best roadside attractions in Oregon".{{Cite web|last=Hale|first=Jamie|date=2017-07-11|title=The 12 most iconic landmarks on the Oregon coast|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2017/07/the_12_most_iconic_landmarks_o.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228005154/https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2017/07/the_12_most_iconic_landmarks_o.html|archive-date=28 December 2022|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-25|website=The Oregonian|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Hale|first=Jamie|date=2017-11-19|title=The 40 best roadside attractions in Oregon|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2017/11/the_40_best_roadside_attractio.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926123535/https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2017/11/the_40_best_roadside_attractio.html|archive-date=26 September 2021|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-25|website=The Oregonian|language=en}} He also included the Octopus Tree in the newspaper's 2019 list of "The 12 best roadside attractions on the Oregon Coast Highway".{{Cite web|last=Hale|first=Jamie|date=2019-07-14|title=The 12 best roadside attractions on the Oregon Coast Highway|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/07/72aa5cb7ab3123/the-12-best-roadside-attractions-on-the-oregon-coast-highway.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001032422/https://www.oregonlive.com/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/07/72aa5cb7ab3123/the-12-best-roadside-attractions-on-the-oregon-coast-highway.html|archive-date=1 October 2021|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-25|website=The Oregonian|language=en}} The Octopus Tree has also been described as "famous" and "unique".{{Cite web|last=Eastman|first=Janet|date=2020-08-21|title=Travel deals benefit road trippers: Check out Oregon's unique vacation getaways|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2020/08/travel-deals-benefit-road-trippers-check-out-oregons-unique-vacation-getaways.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928203157/https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2020/08/travel-deals-benefit-road-trippers-check-out-oregons-unique-vacation-getaways.html|archive-date=28 September 2021|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-25|website=The Oregonian|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statesmanjournal.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.statesmanjournal.com%2Fstory%2Ftravel%2Foutdoors%2F2021%2F01%2F27%2F11-unique-adventures-in-oregon-tillamook-coast%2F4265932001%2F|title = Statesman Journal}}
References
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