150-year-ranch near San Luis Obispo is withering from lack of rain

Rancher Daniel Sinton walks past dead or dying trees affected by the drought on Canyon Ranch, which was started by Sinton’s great-grandfather 150 years ago.

Researcher Blair McLaughlin, a University of Idaho professor, collects the cut stem of a young pine tree that will be used to determine water stress levels of the trees on Canyon Ranch.

Researcher Blair McLaughlin, a University of Idaho professor, works before dawn to collect the cut stem of a mature blue oak tree that will be used to determine water stress levels of the trees on Canyon Ranch. Canyon Ranch is located in the heart of the most drought-stricken region in California.

Researcher Blair McLaughlin places a cut blue oak stem into a suitcase-sized pressure chamber designed to measure a tree’s potential to channel water to its leaves.

“I’ve never seen one last this long before,” said James Sinton, 98, of the drought. In the background is his grandson, rancher Daniel Sinton, 34, with his own 1-year-old son Nolan.

98-year-old James Sinton walks on Canyon Ranch with his grandson, Daniel Sinton, Daniel’s wife, Megan, and their children Nolan and Colby, ages 1 and 3.

Researcher Blair McLaughlin inspects the tiny leaves of a blue oak tree on Canyon Ranch near Shandon.

A dead pine tree on drought-stricken Canyon Ranch.

Researcher Blair McLaughlin, right, and Andrew Weitz inspect a dead pine tree they have tagged affected by the drought on Canyon Ranch.

View of a parched Canyon Ranch, which received 2.24 inches of rain last year -- a fraction of a year’s typical rainfall, 9.85 inches.