Who Gives a Moreton Bay Fig
Tip of the Week: January 19, 2008
"Train up a fig tree in the way it should go, and when you are old sit under the shade of it." Charles Dickens
If you mosey out to the McCrae/Albright Ranch House in Lemon Grove, for sure you'll find something bigger than a bread box.
The ranch house, itself, is nothing to sneeze at. Dating back to 1880, it is an historic home having been given that designation in 2002. For those following these "Tips" you'll remember the name Harrison Albright. Mr. Albright also set his sights and spent some cash on this house.
Moreton Bay Fig
Balboa Park-1914
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The house has a long history in and of itself. The McRae/ Albright Ranch house was built between 1872 and 1880. The house was the premier Victorian ranch house in the Spring Valley area. The McRae Ranch was the 1st commercial citrus (orange and lemon)grove in the area.
As great as it is to see a house as lovely as the ol' McCrae house, what you notice first will stop you in your tracks. Can't miss it.
Just in front of the house stands a majestic Moreton Bay Fig tree. This tree, planted in 1874, ranks as the oldest and 3rd largest in California with a 35-h girth, 54-foot height, and 109-foot canopy spread.
McRae/Albright
Moreton Bay Fig-1874
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And if you dig the Figs, you probably know where you can find another California prized tree. If you guessed the tree in Balboa Park - between Spanish Village and the San Diego Natural History Museum -you get an "A" for
arbor. This tree has measured in with a canopy of 145-feet, a girth of
42-feet and is 80-feet tall. This Moreton Bay Fig is now estimated
to be 90 years old
Old or young, if you go in search of these Moreton Figs, go ahead and follow
Dicken's advice and have a seat and take in the marvelous shade that they
provide.
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