Every now and then, one comes across a catchy word or phrase. Yet in some of these cases, the actual meaning is lost upon most people unfamiliar with it. Such is the case with the term “palms to pines.”
Let’s unpack this…..
Sandwiched between the lanes of northbound and southbound Highway 99 in Madera County, the palm trees and pine trees don’t get a lot of attention. However, their symbolism resonates far and wide.
The palm represents the south, and the pine represents the north. The significance is the fact that this represents the geographic center of the state. The city of Madera has a palm and pine tree on its logo.
While Madera is well known as the center of the state, the actual geographic center lies roughly 50 miles east, in North Fork, California. Local residents have long known their tiny city is the actual geographic center of California, and take all the hullabaloo with a bit of a smile.
There’s a bit more to the story before this folklore tale comes to a close. While the phrase “palms to pines” has been a long-standing staple of state lore, the truth of the matter is the “palm” tree is actually a cedar tree.
Due to a widening project, the two trees are being relocated approximately 50 yards
[Copyright rules prevent publishing an actual photo of the historic trees. However, you can find the image online.]
Now you have some historical trivia in your back pocket.
Everything else is just history
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