275-year-old oak tree topples during storm in California wine country. ‘Heartbreaking’
For more than two centuries, an oak tree in California’s wine country stood tall.
The 275-year-old tree, known as Majestic Oak, withstood fires in the Napa Valley area and quakes that shook V. Sattui Winery, Tom Davies, the winery’s president, said in a video posted on YouTube.
But with the series of storms from atmospheric rivers slamming the area, the tree toppled in the early morning hours of Monday, Jan. 9, Davies said.
“Basically heartbroken,” Davies said. “With buildings, you can rebuild those but something like this, it takes an emotional hit. Because yeah, we can grow new tree. We just won’t get to see it.”
Facebook users echoed Davies’ sentiment in mourning Majestic Oak.
“We have stood under that tree countless times, including on our wedding day. I am so sad to see this,” one user wrote.
Others shared in the sorrow of losing a tree that held “so many memories.”
“This is heartbreaking. I have so many memories of coming to the winery with my family as a child and now as an adult with kids,” another Facebook user wrote. “There was just something magical about having a picnic under it.”
Another user said they “nearly cried” after learning of the news.
“It will be missed, especially on hot summer days,” they wrote.
Some chimed in with ideas of what to make from the fallen tree, such as using the wood to make wine barrels.
“Make a huge table for events or bar top out of the wood if it’s salvageable,” another user suggested.
The tree, which Davies considered an “iconic part” of the winery family, “hosted hundreds of thousands” who picnicked “under its majestic branches,” according to Davies.
For the past 40 years, one arborist has cared for the tree, Davies said. However, he believed the tree “would not fall in our lifetime.”
“Today we laid to rest, probably one of the most iconic oaks here in the Napa Valley,” Davies said.
Napa is about 50 miles southwest of Sacramento.
