The Giant Cedar Stump
By Curt Cunningham

The Giant Western Red Cedar Stump was a roadside attraction along the Pacific Hwy from 1922 to 1971. The stump is 20 feet in diameter and the tree was over 200 feet tall and is 1,250 years old. It was located north of Portage Creek along the Pacific Highway and you could pull off the road and drive through it. The tree had stood for over a thousand years when in 1893 a fire started in its hollow base which caused it to die.

On June 26, 1891 the Washington Standard reprinted an article from the Arlington Times that talked about a giant cedar tree which was found near Arlington. The story goes; "The largest tree in Snohomish county, probably, is a cedar which stands a little ways from the Kent's prairie and the Stanwood road, near Arlington. A party of 9 went down from this place last Sunday to satisfy themselves of the truth of what by them were regarded as exaggerated reports of its size."

"It has been claimed that the tree is 99 feet in circumference, but the measurement taken Sunday shows it to be but 68 feet. Still, that is considerable of a sapling, being nearly 23 feet in diameter. If measured around the roots and knotty protuberances the tree would likely measure the 99 feet claimed for it, but that is not a a fair test. Sunday's measurement was as close to the body of the tree as a line could be drawn."

"About 25 feet from the ground the tree forks into 4 immense branches. Just below the forks is a big knot-hole, and 5 of the party - Jack Howard, J. F. Shannon, A. Engberg, Ralph Morris and Harry Patterson - climbed up and made an exploration of the inside of the tree, which is a mere shell, though still green. They went down some 45 feet in the tree and claim that there is standing room for at least 40 men there. A peculiar feature which they notice was that the tree is barked on the inside the same as on the outside."

In 1916 the top was removed and the center was cut out. In 1922 the stump was cut from its base by Slim Husby and Ole Reinseth and they dragged it 150 yards north of its original location to be placed on a concrete base. It then became famous a roadside attraction and a sign was placed on the stump which said; “Relic of a Vanquished Forest.” The Stump remained there until 1939 when it was moved south along the Pacific Highway south of 204th St. NE.

During May of 1939 Crown Prince Olav and Princess Martha of Norway were visiting the Pacific Northwest during their 10 week tour of America. From Seattle they took an excursion up the Pacific Highway and drove through the stump. In 1971 it was moved one last time to its current location at Smoky Point rest area off Interstate-5 at exit 207. Locals refer to it as "The Stump." Cars are no longer able to drive through it, but you are free to walk around and through it while admiring its ancient beauty.

The marker placed next to the stump reads; "This famous stump remains as evidence of the giant trees which once forested this area. Over 20 feet in diameter and 200 feet tall, the huge 'Western Red Cedar' is believed to have been more than 1,000 years old. Discovered by early American settlers of the area."

The Stump timeline;

1891 - Tree is discovered.

1893 - The tree was killed by a fire which started in its hollow base.

1916 - After the top was removed, Paul Wangsmo and Ole Rodway cut and chopped three spines from the core and cut archways through the stump.

1922 - After cutting the stump off at its base, Ole Reinseth and Slim Husby used horse teams to drag it north 150 yards where it was set on a concrete base.

1939 - The stump, by now had cracked and was taken apart and then pieced back together just north of Portage Creek alongside the new improved US 99. On May 27, Crown Prince Olav and Princess Martha of Norway drove through the stump.

1971 - The stump's final move brought it to the Smokey Point Rest Area located on Interstate-5 southbound at exit 207.