Photo credit: California Department of Parks and Recreation
CALAVERAS COUNTY, Calif. (FOX 11 / AP) - A giant sequoia tree known for the huge tunnel carved through it has toppled during California’s weekend storms.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the historic Pioneer Cabin in Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Calaveras County came down during heavy rains on Sunday. A Facebook post from the Calaveras Big Trees Association confirmed the news.
The tree was hollowed out in the 1880s to allow tourists to pass through it.
Cars later used the massive tunnel, but more recently it has hosted only hikers.
Park volunteer Jim Allday, of Arnold, says the tree shattered as it hit the ground.
There was no immediate word on what caused the tee to fall, but the Chronicle reports that it probably had to do with the tree’s shallow root system and the inundation.
Hundreds have taken to Facebook to share memories of the famous tree.
Copyright 2017 FOX 11 Los Angeles : Download our mobile app for breaking news alerts or to watch FOX 11 News | Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Be a citizen journalist for FOX 11 and get paid – download the Fresco News App today.