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San Francisco, California / Public art

Andy Goldsworthy's Tree Fall

A striking indoor art installation by Andy Goldsworthy, featuring a clay-covered eucalyptus branch suspended within the historic Civil War-era Powder Magazine of the Presidio.

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Andy Goldsworthy's Tree Fall
presidio.gov, og_image_presidio.gov

What is Andy Goldsworthy's Tree Fall?

Tree Fall is a free indoor art installation created in 2013, located in the Presidio of San Francisco. The work consists of a eucalyptus branch covered in layers of clay, suspended from the domed roof of a historic stone powder magazine.

Is it free to visit?

Yes, Tree Fall and all other Andy Goldsworthy installations in the Presidio are free to visit.

What are the hours?

Public access is limited to weekends, with seasonal hours: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm from November to March, and 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm from March to November. Weekday appointments are available by calling (415) 561-2767.

Where is it located?

The installation is located at 95 Anza Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129, inside a historic Civil War era powder magazine described as the oldest American building in San Francisco.

What is the sculpture known for?

The sculpture is known for illustrating the relationship between natural and built environments, specifically the military and nature in the Presidio. It uses a removed tree trunk from the Presidio Parkway project to evoke the feeling of being below ground.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Andy Goldsworthy's Tree Fall is a captivating indoor art installation created in 2013, located within the Presidio of San Francisco. The sculpture is housed inside the historic stone Powder Magazine, which is recognized as the oldest American building in San Francisco. This petite structure was built by the U.S. Army during the Civil War era to store gunpowder, providing a stark, architectural contrast to the organic form of the art piece. The work consists of a eucalyptus branch, sourced from a removed tree trunk from the Presidio Parkway project, which is covered in layers of clay resembling traditional adobe. This clay-covered branch is suspended from the domed roof of the magazine, creating a visual experience that evokes the feeling of being below ground. The installation is designed to illustrate the relationship between the natural and built environments, as well as the intersection of military history and nature within the Presidio. As the first indoor installation Goldsworthy created for the Presidio, Tree Fall is part of a larger series of four works in the park, including Spire, Wood Line, and Earth Wall. These pieces collectively study the history and rejuvenation of the Presidio forest, which was originally planted by the U.S. Army starting in the 1880s. Visitors can experience these installations as part of a three-mile loop hike through the park's forest groves.

Visitor tips

  • Check the official NPS or Presidio website for current status, as the installation has been reported as temporarily closed.
  • Public access is generally limited to weekends; check for seasonal hours (e.g., 10:00 am - 4:00 pm November-March, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm March-November).
  • If visiting during the week, call (415) 561-2767 to arrange an appointment.
  • Consider integrating this stop into a three-mile loop hike to see all four of Goldsworthy's Presidio installations.

Nearby context

Located at 95 Anza Avenue, Tree Fall is nestled within the Presidio of San Francisco, a former military post turned national park. It is part of a larger artistic loop featuring other Goldsworthy works like Wood Line and Spire, which are integrated into the forest groves of the park.

Sources

Evidence and links