Frontierland is definitely one of the most scenic spots in the park. From the caves on Tom Sawyer Island to the cabins in Big Thunder Ranch, there are all kinds of cool places to explore. But many guests unknowingly breeze right past this hidden gem: the Petrified Tree.
The plaque reads: FROM THE PIKE PETRIFIED FOREST, COLORADO: This section weighs five tons and measures 7.5 feet in diameter. The original tree, estimated to have been 200 feet tall, was part of a sub-tropical forest 55 to 70 million years ago in what is now Colorado. Scientists believe it to be part of the Redwood of Sequoia species. During some prehistoric era a cataclysmic upheaval caused silica laden water to overspread the living forest. Wood cells were changed during the course of time to sandstone. Opals were formed within the tree trunk itself. (Presented to Disneyland by Mrs. Walt Disney, September 1957)
Next time you’re in Frontierland, take a walk along the waterfront. You’ll find the Petrified Tree just before the Pirates of the Caribbean, right by the Rivers of America. The Petrified Tree is Disneyland’s own piece of prehistoric treasure, and its location is an excellent spot for family photos.
If we are fortunate enough to go to Disneyland, I hope to remember to make a point to visit this tree. I like that you shared a bit about it’s history. I wonder how Mrs. Disney came to have it in the first place. It is certainly an unusual thing for a person to have.
I just looked through my photos from a trip to Disneyland in 2014, and realized I have one with this tree in the background…and I didn’t even know it! Thank you for sharing this kind of stuff on your blog; I haven’t seen other Disney blogs that pay so much attention to the details. Now my pictures are all the better because I have a story behind them.
This made my day, Chandler! I’m so glad you enjoy the blog. I can’t get enough of Disney details, so there are always more to come 🙂
Muy genial. Lovely piece of history in the Disneyland.
Gracias, Marta 🙂 I agree, a very cool hidden artifact!
romantic gift? lol