Kalaloch Tree of Life
by Carolyn Derstine
Title
Kalaloch Tree of Life
Artist
Carolyn Derstine
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
There is an extraordinary tree along the Pacific coast in Kalaloch beach, within Olympic National Park in Washington, that some people call “the tree of life” because of the miraculous way it seems to be hanging on to life when it should have been dead years ago. This Sitka Spruce tree is located just north of Kalaloch Lodge, near the Kalaloch Campground, on a cliff that has partially caved in due to erosion--right under the tree. The cave-like hollow beneath the tree was caused by a small stream that empties into the ocean and has been washing the soil out from underneath it. The tree is anchored to the ground by only a few tendrils of roots, but the majority of them are exposed and spread out over the void. It’s a miracle that the tree is still breathing and thriving and sprouting fresh green leaves every spring despite having no soil underneath. No one knows exactly how long the tree has been holding up this way or why the tree has not toppled over during the intense storms that the coast is known for.
**THIRD PLACE TIE**
"A Big Beautiful Tree Photograph" contest
May 2023
Uploaded
October 22nd, 2019
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Viewed 2,553 Times - Last Visitor from Beverly Hills, CA on 04/24/2024 at 5:04 PM
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