http://www.arborsmith.com/treecircus.html

(Must see the photos! -- JL)

Erlandson was born in 1884, the son of Swedish immigrants. He raised beans in Central California near Turlock. There, Inspired by observing a natural graft between two sycamore trees. (inosculence) He began to shape trees, by planting in specified patterns; then pruning, grafting and bending them. This began as a hobby for the amusement of himself and his family.

In 1945 Erlandson's daughter and wife took a trip to the ocean near Santa Cruz. There they saw people lined up to pay to see such oddities as tilted buildings and optical illusions. They returned home and convinced Axel that his trees could draw people who would pay to see them; if they were on a well traveled tourist route. Axel bought a small parcel of land in Scotts Valley on the main road between the Santa Clara Valley and the ocean; and started the process of transplanting the best of his trees to their new home. The Tree Circus opened in the spring of 1947 (See photo at left)

(Thanks to the Forteana list!)