The Giant Myrtle Tree Trail
This very short trail leads one through a beautiful myrtle grove that is believed to contain the oldest and largest myrtle tree known to be in existence (see bottom picture). This tree is 88 feet tall, 42 feet in circumference at the base, and has a canopy that spreads 70 feet. It is hard to determine exactly how old any myrtle tree is because fire can easily destroy the trunk and branches, but the root system will survive and regenrate itself. Having said that, the experts estimate that the upper branches are about 200 years old, the trunk is about 400 years old, and the root system age is unknown. The trunk of this tree is hollowed out from repeated fires over the centuries. Red alder, big-leaf maple, tanoak, and Douglas-fir are also found in the surounding forest.
