In the heart of Golden Gate Park, a landmark Monterey cypress that has witnessed over a century of San Francisco’s history was ceremoniously bid farewell. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced the removal of the 90-foot tree following a recent split in its massive trunk; the tree used to stand tall on the eastern edge of Hellman Hollow, providing shade to countless visitors through the ages, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Department shared a sense of nostalgia as it prepared for the end of an era. As the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department stated in a social media post, in a sustainable turn, the beloved cypress will not simply become debris, but instead will find new life as it is repurposed for the park’s nature exploration areas, ensuring that its legacy extends for years to come.
Farewell to a Giant! Tomorrow we say goodbye to an old friend, a 90-ft cypress on the eastern edge of Hellman Hollow, whose towering trunk finally split after standing strong for more than a century. pic.twitter.com/Q7oVaf2xJN
— San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (@RecParkSF) October 29, 2025
The task of dismantling the tree carried an emotional weight for the park's staff, with Tamara Barak Aparton, speaking on behalf of the department, pointing out that the San Francisco Recreation and Park gardeners have formed a bond with the cypress through their years of care, acknowledging its silent role in the background of countless public gatherings "It’s a little emotional for our Rec and Park gardeners who have spent many years taking care of Golden Gate Park," Aparton told the San Francisco Chronicle.
