Impressive Douglas Fir Snag

This is actually a huge, short snag that is broken off just up from the top of the photo. The massive bole lies down the slope to the right, and is now large diameter woody debris enriching the forest floor structure. This ancient Douglas fir probably experienced a catastrophic event during a winter storm. Perhaps it was diseased which would make it more susceptible to wind.

This impressive snag is in a very narrow strip of old forest that has been cleared on either side, which made it vulnerable to wind. Other large trees in this area are likely to blow down, too. The fire scars on the foot thick cork-like bark above my head are pretty impressive. The burns record at least one forest fire.

In the recent past the Sooke area was carpeted in trees this large and larger.