AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – Every wedding needs a witness. For Laura Tostin’s daughter, that witness was a tree.

“My daughter got married under here a few years ago," Tostin says, standing by the Witness Tree. "I have lots of beautiful pictures and memories of it.”  

In fact, Paramount Ranch's majestic valley oak has been a presence in Tostin's life as long as she can remember.

RELATED l Conservation Corps Replacing Invasive Plants with Native Ones

“Ever since I was just a little girl," she said.

She would ride horses here as a child and as the owner of Malibu Riders, now leads group rides past this same spot.

“We’re going to miss this tree," she sighed.

Tostin was one of many people who came to pay their respects to the tree that stood in what was once the heart of Western Town.  In 2018 the Woolsey fire destroyed most of the buildings and left the tree badly burned.  Arborist John Tiszler had hoped it might recover and watched closely for signs of regrowth.  

“And it just did not happen with his tree," Tiszler said. "Now if one were to walk over to the tree, you’d start to see decay, fungus and the bark is coming off, so it’s sadly most definitely dead."

While rangers with the National Park Service aren't sure exactly how old this tree is, they know it’s had a front row seat to 100 years of Hollywood history, including the filming of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Actors from the show shared photos and memories while other visitors spent time simply communing with the tree, getting as close to it as they could, while they could.  The tree is scheduled to be cut down later this month.  

“This may be heresy but the Western Town can always be rebuilt but it will be many years before we have a tree like that again," Tiszler said.

In a way, the Witness Tree won’t be gone for long. After they remove it, Tiszler says they plan to preserve as much good wood as possible and use it around the ranch.

“Building some benches. If we have a sufficiently large piece, entrance arch," Tiszler said. "The hope is the tree certainly is not living on but the tree would still be with us in some form.”

For Tostin, it won’t be the same.

“I like the idea," she said, "but the tree will be gone.  All the memories. But we have pictures. We have lots of beautiful pictures.”

Beautiful pictures and beautiful memories that will always be a part of her family tree.

Before the tree is removed, visitors are invited to try to guess its age. Guesses, along with your name and address, can be emailed to ana_cholo@nps.gov. Cholo says the winner will receive a small gift from the Santa Monica Mountains Fund.