Pismo Beach, California: Clint the Cowboy Tree Statue

Clint the Cowboy Tree Statue has successfully survived major reconstructive surgery. He was carved, in place, from a dead cypress tree back in the 1980s -- but lately he'd become infested with Bark Beetles.

The cowboy had his half-eaten hat, gun, left arm and leg replaced with steel-and-styrofoam imitations, and has been given a fresh coat of paint. Clint stands in front of the F. McLintock's restaurant, and is reportedly copied from a cowboy lamp in the lobby.

Do you know about the F. McLintock's cowboy tree statue in Shell Beach right beside Highway 101? Very colorful. Visible from the freeway to all northbound travelers. (And F. McLintock's is one of California's most popular restaurants)

I can get you the whole story, but as I know it: There was a huge big ol cypress tree along the road. It got diseased. They topped the tree, leaving a 20' tall stump. They had it carved into their mascot cowboy, and painted. So now it's a big tall wooden cowboy. A few years back, someone shot arrows into it.