"Trees" by Terry Allen (Stuart Collection, UCSD) — Quirky Museums & Collections in San Diego
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Entry No. 10 — the San Diego file — filed under: outdoor

"Trees" by Terry Allen (Stuart Collection, UCSD)

Three eucalyptus trees salvaged from a demolished grove, all sheathed in lead — two of them wired with hidden speakers that periodically (with long silences between) play recorded music and stories, including a poem read by the artist's young son, plus a song David Byrne wrote for the piece. Students are welcome to scratch their initials into the lead bark, building up what they call the "Enchanted Forest."

The move: Sit on the grass between the trees for twenty minutes and just wait; the silence is the point, and when a tree suddenly starts talking or playing music it's genuinely startling. Bring a coin to scratch your initials into the bark.

Where: 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093 (eucalyptus grove between Geisel Library and the Faculty Club)

Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.

#sound-art #environmental-art #sculpture #free #campus

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Further reading: Official site

last checked: 2026-07-19