OTE - Oregon Travel Experience

Pinus ponderosa
This majestic pine is the biggest of its species ever recorded. It was a giant before the Oregon Territory was established, enduring centuries of fire, insects, disease, and human impact. Recently half of its crown was lost to weather, making another Ponderosa pine taller, but “Big Tree” remains the largest in circumference.

Tree facts

Approx. height: 162
Approximate Age: 500 years
Circumference: 28′ 11″
Dedicated on: April 5, 2000

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It is located in …

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Sequoiadendron giganteum
This giant sequoia was found as a seedling tree along the railroad tracks by Sister Protasia Schindler in 1893. She planted it in front of the Queen of Angels Monastery to give some life to the grounds. Not knowing what type of tree it was, nor how large it could grow, her tree has become a stunning landmark.
The Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel were established in Oregon in 1882 …

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Juglans nigra
In 1863, on this site, Robert Vinton Beall, an Oregon Trail pioneer and relative to four Maryland governors, built one of the first frame buildings in Jackson County, a Gothic Revival house that is listed on the National Historic Register.
Beall and his brother Thomas were eventually to become Jackson County’s most prosperous farmers. In 1864, Robert Beall planted this Illinois black walnut to commemorate his marriage to Ann Maria …

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Acer macrophyllum
Two bigleaf maple trees stand on each side of a replica tollgate that marks the western-most and last tollgate to operate on the Barlow Road — the branch of the Oregon Trail that crossed the southern flank of Mt Hood. The original tollgate was in operation on this site from 1879 until 1915, and the tollgate maples are believed to have been planted in the 1880’s by Daniel Parker …

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Andrew J. Baker, who arrived in the Oregon Territory in 1843 as part of the Great Migration, planted the black walnut in 1870 next to his house, built in 1852. The house, which still stands at this site, was used as a stage coach stop in the late 1800s. The property was purchased in 1899 by William S. Russell and is still owned by Russell’s heirs.

Tree facts

Approx. height: 105′
Planted in: …

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Populus tremuloides
The carvings on the trees in this aspen grove are called “arborglyphs.” Most of the arborglyphs here were carved by Basque sheepherders who worked the top of the Steens Mountain in the early-to-middle 20th century.
These historic carvings were lightly etched into the bark to make notes about the sheep and leave drawings or as a means of letting one another know who had passed by each place.

Tree facts

Approx. height: 50′
Trees date …

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This grove of mixed trees species was started as a memorial for Oregon members of the 10th Mountain Division who fought in Italy during WWII. They were the only US Army Division trained in mountain warfare and were trained to fight on skis.
In 1996 the first tree in this memorial grove was planted. The grove is maintained by descendants and discharged members of the 10th Mountain Division.

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US26, milepost 54, eastbound, …

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James and Elizabeth Baker were among the first Oregon Trail emigrants to settle in Eastern Oregon. They traveled from Iowa in 1862 and were one of the original five families to settle in what is now the City of La Grande.
La Grande was a treeless prairie when they arrived. James Baker was known as a horticulturist and planted many of the first trees in the community. Elizabeth Baker loved the …

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