[CaliforniaMama]

The Ladder Tree

Just a bit south of where I live is an amusement park
designed for younger children. It is also the home of
the famous Circus Trees.

This link will take you to site that shows all of the trees at the park.



The Needle and Thread Tree

The park was originally called Bonfante Gardens after Michael Bonfante
who rescued the circus trees after their creator passed away. (It is now called Gilroy Gardens.)


The First Circus Tree

Axel Erlandson made the first circus tree by taking four saplings and grafting them together.

I don't usually reference Wikipedia, but it has a good amount of information and some good pics.



This is a before and 40+ years later comparison.

Designboom has more pics and info.

Arborsmith Studios presents more interesting reading and pics.

Here is an excerpt of a book about arborsculpture.