莫顿湾无花果树——圣芭芭拉分校,加州- Atlas Obscura

The Moreton Bay Fig Tree.Nate Pedersen(Atlas Obscura User)

This Moreton Bay Fig Tree(Ficus macrophylla), located at theSanta Barbaratrain station, is among the largest of its species in theUnited States. The tree is a designated City Landmark and part of theCaliforniaRegister of Big Trees.

In 1876, an Australian seaman—Moreton Bay Fig Trees are native toAustralia—presented a seedling of this giant tree to a local Santa Barbara girl. The girl planted the tree at 201 State Street. However, she soon moved away.

Her friend, Adeline Crabb, relocated the sapling to its present location the next year. Crabb clearly had a knack for identifying the right microclimate for the Moreton Bay Fig Tree, as the tree quickly thrived in its new location.

Today, the tree is a well-known landmark for any travelers arriving in Santa Barbara via train. As of July, 1997, the circumference of the tree was 498 inches, or 41.5 feet. The average crown spread was 176 feet and the total height was 80 feet.

The site has additional historic significance as 100 years before Adeline Crabb planted the fig sapling. El Capitan Gaspar de Portolá camped here with his men on August 18, 1769. during his explorations along the Californian coastline, as part of a Spanish effort to establish California as a colony.