08/17/2026
Have you ever seen that old pine tree standing tall in Downtown Ventura’s Plaza Park?
What was once a towering tree is now a natural, rooted monument, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, honoring what Ventura endured and overcame since the Thomas Fire.
You know the story of the phoenix, right?
That legendary bird from Greek mythology, famous for bursting into flames, only to be reborn from its own ashes, shining brighter than ever. This tree had a similar fate. As Ventura was burning, healing, and rebuilding, this tree was dying—an eerie coincidence that felt like it was meant to tell a story.
Around half the trees in Plaza Park come with plaques, offering up some botanical facts. But this lone pine? No plaque. No info. Nada.
So the folks over at the Museum of Ventura County went on a mission to uncover the story behind what could very well be Ventura’s own version of “The Giving Tree.”
Enter John Mahoney (yeah, Big John), arborist and wood artist. With the help of West Coast Arborists, I spent two weeks carving up what was left after the branches and trunk were cut down, leaving behind a tribute that’s now part of the city’s soul.
As for the species?
It’s a Canary Island pine!
Age?
Who knows.
But before it was cut down, this beast stood about 80 feet tall, and some say it could be over 100 years old.
The Museum tracked down some old park photos from 1909, and while it’s tough to say for sure, there’s a chance our mystery tree is there, standing proud in the background.
The legend lives on.
Thanks for this awesome clip from
