What) Axel Erlandson's Circus Trees stood in Scots Valley near Santa Cruz for many years after his death in 1964. He spent over 40 years growing his experimental tree shapes. His tortured and unique "arborsculptures" (with trunks coaxed into hearts and DNA double helices) eventually began to die from lack of care. In 1985, the 29 surviving Circus Trees were acquired and carefully transplanted at a planned theme park 50 miles away in Gilroy. Gilroy Gardens opened in 2001. One of the trees saved and thriving is the Basket Tree, six Sycamores melded together in 42 different connections. Nineteen unique Circus Trees can be found throughout the Park, including ten just before you enter the Park through the turnstiles.  Gilroy Gardens is the only California theme park with a horticultural theme. (1)

    Where) 3050 Hecker Pass Highway    only open on the weekends in April

    Why) This was one Buckys that I was really looking forward to.  Now, I knew we would be driving by on a weekday but I figured we could get into the parking lot to see half the trees so I convinced Pam we should drive 2 hours out of our way.  When we got there, we found that the parking lot was closed as well!  I was very tempted to violate my no trespassing policy but I did not do it.  So, I was left with pictures of a fence.  You get that plus a few pictures from the internet.