Elm Tree in Yosemite Valley

This famous tree in Cook’s Meadow is the last of a group of elms planted by James Mason Hutchings in the mid-1800s. While most elms and other non-native tree species have been removed from the area, this individual remains. The now historic tree, whose leafy contour calls to mind the shape of Half Dome, is a true icon of the Valley floor and a favorite subject among photographers.

Photo: © Keith Walklet