by Ellie !.
Member since:
April 18, 2007

Looking for an Ancient Forest

September 08, 2008 11:15 PM EDT (Updated: November 02, 2009 10:55 PM EST)
views: 270 | comments: 109

Imagine trees that lived thousands of years ago suddenly popping up to see the light of day again! It happened in 1998 at Neskowin Beach, Oregon. Winter storms pulled sand out to sea, exposing a forest of stumps. I missed seeing them before the mighty Pacific pushed in more sand to cover them again.

So, when spring storms once again exposed them, I made sure I saw them before the upcoming winter waves can hide them under sand once again.

They believe these trees lived about 10,000 years ago. Did an earthquake cause them to sink into the ocean? We will likely never know. A team from Oregon State University got permission to take a sample or two. They tried coring them, but the wood crumbled. They were able to use a chainsaw to cut out a couple wedges...before someone complained and got the permit canceled.

I wonder if the reason Proposal Rock...the haystack with the trees on top...is there is because somehow the rock didn't get rattled loose in an earthquake.

These are not rocks...they are trees that lived 10,000 years ago!http://media-files.gather.com/images/d125/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
Tide was coming in...had been for a couple hours, but I was still able to get some out of the surf...
http://media-files.gather.com/images/d128/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d133/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg



http://media-files.gather.com/images/d134/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

And there was plenty of surf action...http://media-files.gather.com/images/d135/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg



http://media-files.gather.com/images/d137/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

I'm thinking these trees buried in the sand may have been on the same level as those trees up there...

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d138/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d139/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

The seagulls must wait thousands of years for such great perches!

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d167/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Back in the shadows of the cliffs...
http://media-files.gather.com/images/d166/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

A 10,000-year-old tree now a pond...

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d164/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg


http://media-files.gather.com/images/d163/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Wave...WAVE...BIG WAVE...REALLY BIG WAVE COMING IN... RUN...

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d165/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
(Dang, I wish I were 19 again...those are my middle daughter's legs.)

Looking at Neskowin Beach from this angle, you may just think those are people, not ancient trees...but they are ancient trees.

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d142/d186/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

I posted more pictures than I displayed, so if you want, feel free to browse all the pictures. I was tired and need to get to sleep...4:40 am comes early!


EVERY beach in Oregon is public property, so come visit!
link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 109

Kerrell g. Sep 8, 2008, 11:18pm EDT
WOW!
Marianne R. Sep 8, 2008, 11:20pm EDT
Cool photos and essay. Those are trees? They look like rocks. Amazing the wood holds up to all that salt water.
Ellie !. Sep 8, 2008, 11:23pm EDT
I think it is because the trees were burried in the sand under the frigid Pacific. They tried to core them to look at the rings, but they crumbled. So they took a chainsaw to them...then a neighbor complained! There was nothing to stop anyone from disturbing them...except the cold water. I almost got swamped taking the picture of the stump with the water trapped inside. Then, down by the far end...we almost got caught and trapped by the incoming tide...but we knew better!
Phyllis R. Sep 8, 2008, 11:25pm EDT
Ellie, how amazing, --- this is so very interesting, -- Now you have me curious as to what happened!! These are beautiful pictures of a beautiful beach!!
Janet "Jax" B. Sep 8, 2008, 11:29pm EDT
very cool essay Ellie...and what neat photos...Someday I hope to get out west...
Ellie !. Sep 8, 2008, 11:30pm EDT
And they don't know what happened...earthquake is my best guess.
Sue * Sep 8, 2008, 11:30pm EDT
Ellie-this is really amazing, I have never heard of such a thing. I would love to see this. I had to laugh, I saw the legs...and I was thinking I didn't like you very much, and then I scrolled enough to see what you said. My daughter is 23...I'd like her legs too.
Connie C. Sep 8, 2008, 11:32pm EDT
Those are amazing! How much did they pay you to advertise for Oregon??? LOL
Ellie !. Sep 8, 2008, 11:34pm EDT
Hahaha! Middle daughter got great pictures...she has a natural talent. I hope she can use it for her enjoyment.
Ellie !. Sep 8, 2008, 11:35pm EDT
Connie...I wish you could come visit. You would like it. The people are nice and more real than many places I've been.
This is truley a great find! So glad you took these great shots so I didn't miss seeing this!
Susan G. Sep 9, 2008, 12:17am EDT
Cool!
Lou Anne L. Sep 9, 2008, 12:24am EDT
ever learn how much sand got displaced to expose them?
oh....wonder what they look like from above...
I am thinking....since it seems for the most part...that the trees are still standing upright.... maybe...this area...was a shelf that spanned between the exsisting cliff...but had a soft layer that eventually washed out with a constant beating from the waves alowing the water to eventually take out any footing it had..and just dropped the whole thing....
wonder if they have taken core samples of that beach area...noting any variance in the stuff surrounding the trees...
you think those are the bottom of the trees..are there any root systems below the surface of those trees?
I am gonna have to read up on that area...very interesting....
Shaunee C. Sep 9, 2008, 12:26am EDT
Very pretty very nice photo great article.
Ellie !. Sep 9, 2008, 12:32am EDT
Louanne, This was a surprise in 1998 when they suddenly appeared after winter storms...then the sand blew in and covered them until this spring...they were up to maybe 36" exposed...but normally, they were probably twice that under the sand. If you look at the cliff to the left as you face the ocean...there is also the haystack rock called Proposal Rock to the right. You could be right that the sand was undermined by the ocean, but usually that happens over time. My husband is voting for tsunami...I think the guess is earthquake. They have never dug down to see if there are roots. You don't want to go messing with the Pacific waves...
Alexis Newell Sep 9, 2008, 1:18am EDT
That's really cool! I wonder how many more of the fossilized trees there are on the west coast. I live on the east coast, and will probably never see this for myself(It's too cold in the summer in Oregon for me I think), but those pictures are incredible. Thanks for sharing!
Mariana T. Sep 9, 2008, 1:21am EDT
Dear Miz Ellie - As you know the Louisiana coastline is disappearing. All coastlines slowly sink but in this case, the Mississippi isn't providing the sentiment as it did for 7,000 years - yes, that's how long it took to create the 6,000 square miles of coastline! Anyway, in the case of your trees, if you know anything about platetectonics, you'll probably see that the actually land extended for quite a ways and I am guessing as time went on the ground underneath kept sinking until the trees were basically underwater. This probably took a few hundred years. Even now, we find ancient old oak wood that is now black out in some areas where the Mississippi changed course - thanks so much for these magnificent photos - take care my friend. Salud
Wanda H. Sep 9, 2008, 1:25am EDT
These trees weren't fossilized Alexis, they were simply preserved under the sand. That is why they began to deteriorate as soon as they saw the light of day. They were a kind of 'sea miracle' when they popped up. We probably never know why they were uncovered nor why they covered up again. Things like this, unusual and rare events happen often on the coast. I like that there are still mysteries in the world to tickle our imagination.

Great article Ellie, and great photos. You were lucky to get to see these lovelies. I didn't get to see them and I will always regret that.
Braxton M. B. Sep 9, 2008, 2:42am EDT
This is a really beautiful an neat photo essay Ellie. I love the beaches in the Pacific Northwest. My sister lives in Tocoma, WA and I have been to some of the beaches on the Olympic Pensula and this essay reminds me of them. If they could just find a way to make the water warmer. hehe
Marge F. Sep 9, 2008, 2:59am EDT
What a service your photo essay is. Thank you for documenting the situation and for sharing it with us. My sister took me to a city in a valley that had been abandoned and flooded to make a lake. Later because of drought the entire city was exposed. We were walking down streets that hadn't seen the light of day in decades. The roads were still all there and the foundations of the houses. It was earie to walk those streets once again dry and exposed to the sunlight.
Elaine S. Sep 9, 2008, 7:14am EDT
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ruth Luce Sep 9, 2008, 8:36am EDT
Very cool, unbelievable scenery!!
Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing these with us. What an amazing thing this planet is...
Ashley B. Sep 9, 2008, 9:45am EDT
Nice beach. Those trees are pretty cool.
Sherrie H. Sep 9, 2008, 10:01am EDT
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this. I am in awe.
dianne j. Sep 9, 2008, 10:13am EDT
I am so glad I came across your article Ellie. The pictures are magnificent and the story is intriguing. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
David W. Sep 9, 2008, 11:09am EDT
We are all touhed by these photos of our distant past. Yes, run, big waves are nothing to stand and watch. Great photo essay.
Debby O. Sep 9, 2008, 11:10am EDT
Oh Ellie, what an awesome article! So interesting! I love it! I love things that show the power of nature and it's will to live and holding strong in spite of mans destructive ways to destroy it. You are right, we probably will never know why these trees were covered, but I am in awe that they are still there after all this time! Thank you for posting this article!
Ellie !. Sep 9, 2008, 11:15am EDT
I'm glad you guys are enjoying it. It was a wonderful day trip. It as long to load the pictures onto Gather as it took to drive to the beach and back. I wish you all could come visit. We are fortunate that EVERY Oregon beach is public!
Curt L. Sep 9, 2008, 12:04pm EDT
What a superb article and magnificent photos, Ellie! You know earthquakes can cause Tsunami and as for plate tectonics, you are on the ring of fire. As Mariana observed, plate tectonics also cause diastrophism; the movement of land up, down, forwards, backwards.
Put 'em all together and I can see a few different viable possibilities for this Brigadoon of an ancient forest. So incredibly fascinating!
Sassy Cat Sep 9, 2008, 4:51pm EDT
That is amazing! I'd never heard of such a thing. Thanks for the photos. You do such fun and interesting photo essays!
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Sep 9, 2008, 5:00pm EDT
Just magnificent - makes you wonder what else is buried beneath the sand on all the shorelines that wrap around this country. Must have been an amazing thing to view.
Elizabeth Madrigal Sep 9, 2008, 7:11pm EDT
What a great photo essay and how fascinating, Ellie! Great post!
Nancy S. Sep 9, 2008, 7:12pm EDT
This was so interesting Ellie. I love learning of things from our ancient past.
Sheila Deeth Sep 9, 2008, 8:32pm EDT
Wow! I hoe we manage to get there sometime. So glad you shared pictures. They're amazing.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Sep 9, 2008, 9:34pm EDT
The things I learn on Gather is just amazing. I've never heard of this or seen photos of it. What an interesting and informative article.
Ellie !. Sep 9, 2008, 9:50pm EDT
Sheila, YOU REALLY SHOULD HOP OVER TO THE BEACH. We went to Salem, then took Highway 22 to 101. Then north a few miles to the State Wayside. We went through Salem to avoid the congestion in Newburg. You really should go...just plan to go at low tide. Low tide was 11:30 and we didn't get there until about 1:30. And we were home by 6:30...even after a stop at the Converse store at the Woodburn Outlet Stores!
Ellie !. Sep 9, 2008, 9:51pm EDT
Guys, I love history, maybe that's why I had to go this time before the winter storms bury them again. It was also a beautiful sunny day.
;-)
Dorothy H. Sep 9, 2008, 9:59pm EDT
WOW!!! This is awesome!!! Makes me want to know more!
JoAnn C. Sep 9, 2008, 11:09pm EDT
wow! that is so cool
Sheila Deeth Sep 10, 2008, 12:14am EDT
Just showed my husband the pictures. Hoping we'll get there soon. Thanks for the directions.
Ellie !. Sep 10, 2008, 12:31am EDT
Sheila, We took our 7-passenger van...and only 3 of the 5 of us went! We had room...
Monica H. Sep 10, 2008, 4:33pm EDT
Ellie---This is fabulous. I loved the story of these trees that have been here for 10,000 years. Wonderful bit of history and the photos were really good too.
Harrel (Len) Phillips Sep 10, 2008, 4:46pm EDT
They look like rock, are the petrified?

Wow, 10,000 years, almost as old as my wife. Um, she's petrified. :-)
Harrel (Len) Phillips Sep 10, 2008, 4:47pm EDT
Well, maybe stone cold would be a better description.
Ellie !. Sep 10, 2008, 5:40pm EDT
No...they are not petrified...they are still wood...guess being in the sand under the cold, cold Pacific preserved them? Seems weird, doesn't it? They chainsawed out a chunk for research...They are covered with barnicles...probably from being exposed some...
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Sep 10, 2008, 6:08pm EDT
Cool photos. We have a lake that goes way down every winter, thanks to a dam. There's an island and a lot of bushes that emerge during that time. I don't know exactly how the trees stay alive under the lake water.
necee t. Sep 11, 2008, 12:55am EDT
omg...Ellie... these photos are absolutely gorgeous... i cannot believe these are actually 10,000 year old trees... fascinating... thank you sooo much for sharing... i don't think i would have ever known about this beach... cool... Bless you and yours...

September 11th hi5 Graphics
<center>September 11th Graphics</center>
Glome . . . Sep 11, 2008, 1:20am EDT
Those are just wonderful pictures. It is mysterious to think of them being so old and yet not decayed away into the ocean.
Digital Diva S. Sep 11, 2008, 7:48am EDT
Wow, that is just amazing! What a surprise if you arrive at high tide and leave at low...
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Sep 11, 2008, 12:29pm EDT
fabulous, breathtaking views Ellie...

These are incredible shots...you did an awesome shoot


thanks Ellie, for encouarging me to cope up with the hard times...you were always there holding me..

hugs
Trish A. Sep 11, 2008, 4:56pm EDT
What a fascinating photo essay. The photos are gorgeous and the history lesson is astounding. It must have been an almost spiritual event to be with trees of that age.
Kay M. Sep 12, 2008, 1:03pm EDT
Wow! Awesome photo essay Ellie
Vivian P. Sep 12, 2008, 1:07pm EDT
Wow Ellie this is an awesome article I can't belive I missed this when it was first posted
WOW
Vivian P. Sep 12, 2008, 1:07pm EDT
WOW
JOHN BECK Sep 15, 2008, 9:40pm EDT
The story and a photo would have been a great post. What a thrill to find a beautiful photo essay!
Karolyn Q. Sep 16, 2008, 7:17am EDT
This was a wonderful photo essay. It looks so amazing!
Kathy D. Sep 19, 2008, 10:15pm EDT
That's just incredible!
J W. Sep 20, 2008, 12:42am EDT
beautiful photos, rest well
Anita D. Sep 20, 2008, 1:22am EDT
Fantastic photo essay.
John Philipp Sep 22, 2008, 4:20pm EDT
Amazing and great shots, Ellie.

Thanks for these.
Donald M. Sep 22, 2008, 5:31pm EDT
Ellie that was a terriffic photo essay. How did they determine the age of the tree's . I would love to come to the coast. It is georgous, but the summer weather and cold water . We had some 60 degree nights when the storm came through and I was so happy .
Carrie O. Sep 23, 2008, 10:47am EDT
WOW thats fascinating stuff Ellie! Glad you causght the moment so we could all experience it through your words and pics!

I haven't been gathering much either recently. Callie simply keeps me too busy. She is nopt even two and so wild and daring that I already have her in gymnastics. She does no handed flips on my bed and says, "watch Mom I break neck!" She torments me to no end! LOL. We are doing great though and so glad to hear from you. Hope you are doing well and will hopefully hear from you again!
Lawrence U. Sep 25, 2008, 2:29am EDT
This is a wonderful photo essay, Ellie! Well done!!
Kayleigh M. Sep 26, 2008, 2:51pm EDT
I really enjoyed this essay Ellie! The pictures are GORGEOUS!
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Sep 27, 2008, 5:42pm EDT
Fantastic photos, Ellie! They really stir the imagination, don't they? Very interesting- thanks for sharing them.
☃ Aunt Shanny Sep 28, 2008, 1:37pm EDT
Incredible! Nature is just amazing.
Nurse Nancy S. Sep 29, 2008, 9:34am EDT
What a tremendous photo essay!! Very interesting!

Thanks so much for sharing.
DiAnA D. Sep 30, 2008, 1:39pm EDT
neat!
Billie H. Oct 3, 2008, 1:37pm EDT
That is pretty awesome.
Birdee F. Oct 5, 2008, 12:58am EDT
Can I come visit you?? That looks so awesome! I love geology type stuff!
P.W. Dowdy Oct 5, 2008, 5:27pm EDT
Oh my, Ellie

This is the Oregon I know. I think the whole state is a kind of paradise. Y'all are some good folks up there too!
lynn a. Oct 5, 2008, 5:55pm EDT
Amazing. You tell the best stories. Good that you had your camera with you that day.
Lisa J Oct 8, 2008, 9:44am EDT
Absolutely fascinating, Ellie, and BEAUTIFUL pictures!
sheila h. Oct 11, 2008, 4:01am EDT
how did i miss this! absolutely amazing...
Elaine M. Oct 11, 2008, 10:08pm EDT
I must have been asleep when you posted this, but so glad I found it. I agree with all the awe and amazement expressed by everyone else!
Too cool....now you can ignore my question on the single picture you posted as you have told the story here.

Amazing photos....
April H. Oct 12, 2008, 10:18am EDT
How amazing! I've never heard of this either. So many cool things all around us!
lynn a. Oct 19, 2008, 1:32am EDT
Just saw this again. It is such a nice photo essay. You did good, Ellie.
t b. Oct 19, 2008, 3:08am EDT
I love these pictures Ellie. Thank you.
Chelsea R. Oct 19, 2008, 4:16pm EDT
these are so neat and beautiful!
Alison H. Oct 19, 2008, 9:57pm EDT
Thanks for sharing these fascinating photos! A reminder that the earth is always changing.
Osofo Addo Oct 22, 2008, 10:46pm EDT
Incredible and yes very real and believable too. A wonderful photo essay . And thanks for sharing the information . You must feel very lucky to be there.
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Oct 30, 2008, 9:22am EDT
That is so fascinating Ellie! I wish I could see them in person.
Excellent article, Ellie. I really like the info you put in this and the pics are awesome. Hope your day is going well. Side note: Thanks for the laptop advice :)
elizabeth e. Nov 14, 2008, 9:31pm EST
Amazing...truly amazing. I have never seen the likes of this before. Wow.....loved your pictures.
Nancy 67 Nov 15, 2008, 11:30pm EST
Ellie, these photos are AMAZING!!! Wow, I never heard anything about this. That's great that you were able to capture these pictures before the tide covered them up again. Thanks a lot for sharing these! I never would have seen them any other way! Hope you're having a great weekend and feeling better!
*Holly *. Nov 16, 2008, 1:09am EST
This was beautiful!
Lucky Stars Nov 18, 2008, 6:36pm EST
Ellie, thanks so much for sharing this. I did not know about this phenomenon before.
The photos are awsome! Nature is amazing.
Thank you, Ellie--this is very interresting indeed!
Delaune Michel Nov 25, 2008, 10:18pm EST
those are amazing! I loved seeing this. have a great Thanksgiving! xo
Kimber L. Nov 26, 2008, 2:44pm EST
Ellie this was an awesome photo essay!!
Gary H. Nov 26, 2008, 11:25pm EST
Wow Ellie is that ever interesting, great pictures and essay
Sue D. Nov 27, 2008, 12:56am EST
That is absolutely amazing! Really stunning pictures Ellie.
Victoria H. Dec 4, 2008, 12:07am EST
That is so awesome! I wonder why people have a problem with them trying to get samples of the trees so they can better figure them out when half the time they're covered by sand anyway?!
sheila h. Dec 4, 2008, 11:28pm EST
back again..this provokes tears ..sorry..
it has to do with history..ancient and lost..
they are petrified ?
you need to make time to do more of this ,Ellie
inspiring..
Ellie !. Dec 4, 2008, 11:36pm EST
They are NOT petrified. IT is weird. The cold salt water and sand kept them in-tact. Tho, going in and out of the water will wear on them, I am sure.
Rebecca C. Dec 5, 2008, 5:58pm EST
Wow! That is amazing!
Nettie R. Dec 6, 2008, 1:22am EST
Ellie...those are great pics! We've been there many times & have missed them every time.
Those barnacles must be hundred and hundreds of years old.

Have you ever been to Bandon by the Sea and to Face Rock? The rocks are supposed to be an indian maiden and her pets...I'll have to look up my photos from 2 years ago when we stayed there for our annivesary & post the story.

Thank you for sharing your photos! a 10 all the way!
karie anne Dec 8, 2008, 12:40am EST
Beautiful, Ellie. I love the Oregon coast. What an enjoyable trip this was!