Andy Goldsworthy’s Tree Fall
Tree Fall is an indoor installation by famed artist Andy Goldsworthy.
Tree Fall is Temporarily Closed
NOTE: Tree Fall is not currently open for public visits.
Playful and unexpected, Tree Fall explores the relationship between what is “natural” and what is “built.”
Created in 2013, it’s one of four works by world-renowned artist Andy Goldsworthy that studies the history and rejuvenation of the Presidio forest, planted by the U.S. Army beginning in the 1880s.
It’s located inside the petite historic “Power Magazine,” built by the Army in the Civil War era. Tree Fall is made of a clay-covered tree branch suspended from the domed roof. The branch and ceiling were also covered with clay from the Presidio that dried and cracked into a beautiful organic pattern. Upon entering the building, visitors’ eyes slowly adjust to the light until the full breadth of the sculpture is revealed.
Getting to Tree Fall
95 Anza Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129
Tree Fall Parking
Park in a paid lot on the Presidio’s Main Post near the intersection of Sheridan Avenue and Graham Street. There is also parking near the Presidio Officers’ Club. For GPS, use the street address 95 Anza Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129.
Why We Love Tree Fall
Tree Fall is a special Presidio surprise. You’d never know what’s going on inside that tiny building! A visit to Tree Fall also means you’re steps away from Andy Goldsworthy’s Earth Wall, located inside the Presidio Officers’ Club.
Accessibility at Tree Fall
Parking spaces for those with mobility limitations are located near Tree Fall. Accessible restrooms are nearby at the Presidio Officers’ Club.
Insider Tip
The Presidio is the home to the largest collection of Andy Goldsworthy works on public view in North America. Experience all four of his installations – Spire, Tree Fall, Wood Line, and Earth Wall — by hiking on a three-mile loop led by the Goldsworthy in the Presidio guide. The walk encompasses parts of Lovers’ Lane, the Mountain Lake Trail, and the Ecology Trail.
One-of-A-Kind Art in A One-Of-A-Kind Place
Visiting Andy Goldsworthy’s Tree Fall is one of the coolest things to do in San Francisco.
Using What Nature Gives You
Artist Andy Goldsworthy loves to source his materials from where his installations live. With Tree Fall, that meant repurposing a Eucalyptus tree trunk from the Presidio, which he covered with clay from the Presidio combined with human hair from a local salon. With help from 40 volunteers, he applied the mixture to the tree trunk and ceiling of the Powder Magazine. The result is a dazzling, organic pattern of cracked dry clay and textures, which reveals itself as your eyes adjust to the light.
A New Chapter in a Historic Building
The historic Powder Magazine was built in the Civil War era. It protected gun powder and munitions. Its four-foot-thick stone walls were meant to minimize damage in the event of an accidental explosion.
All in the Family
Tree Fall is one of four exhibits by the artist in the Presidio. Others include Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line, Spire, and Earth Wall.
A Partnership Project
Tree Fall was made possible through the FOR-SITE Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the idea that art can inspire fresh thinking and important dialogue about our natural and cultural environment. For more, visit www.for-site.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tree Fall closed during the pandemic. Visitors need to be accompanied, so we’re exploring options for a docent program so we can invite the public back.
Yes, Colibri Mexican Bistro is nearby in the Presidio Officers’ Club. Presidio Pop Up food trucks are also steps away in the Main Post.
No, it’s free to visit all the Andy Goldsworthy San Francisco Presidio art installations.
There is an incredible short video that tells the story of how Tree Fall came to life.
Nature Notes
It’s our goal to make sure people can enjoy the Presidio’s natural beauty for generations to come. We work to protect native plants and animals while reducing our impact on the environment.
My art is an attempt to reach beyond the surface appearance. I want to see growth in wood, time in stone, nature in a city and I do not mean its parks but a deeper understanding that a city is nature too – the ground upon which it is built, the stone with which it is made.”
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Experience the Presidio
The Presidio is San Francisco’s national park site, with endless trails, fun events, and unforgettable vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge.
