Why is Stanford Cardinals mascot a tree?

As for the mascot, Stanford does not officially have one. The "Tree," which is a member of the Stanford Band, has been mistaken as the school's mascot, but it is not. read more

The Stanford Tree is the Stanford Band's mascot and the unofficial mascot of Stanford University. Stanford's team name is "Cardinal", referring to the vivid red color (not the common songbird as at several other schools), and the university does not have an official mascot. read more

[My favorite proposal was Robber Barons.] Then they needed a mascot, so they picked the redwood tree. Stanford implements the some of the big university sports traditions with a degree of sarcasm, the Band is all voluneers, not scholarship music students. read more

Nope! Since 1940, Berkeley’s mascot has enjoyed incredible consistency in being a lovable, costumed bear. It could have been fast food. Eventually, the question of what would be Stanford’s mascot was put to a vote. “Beating out a steaming manhole and a giant french fry,” the Tree was the ultimate pick among Cardinals in a 1975 contest. read more