Wisdom Of The Trees

Visiting an increasingly rare 1000+ year old Western Red Cedar along West Coast Road
between Sooke and Port Renfrew.

"Because they are primeval, because they outlive us, because they are fixed, trees seem to emanate a sense of permanence.  And though rooted in earth, they seem to touch the sky.  

For these reasons it is natural to feel we might learn wisdom from them, to haunt about them with the idea that if we could only read their silent riddle rightly we should learn some secret vital to our own lives." 

- Kim Taplin

Find out more about the tree shown above, and how to get to it, on my post about the Chin Beach trail cedar. Enjoy the big trees while they last.

Sooke River Cedars

Cedar growing along (or in!) the Sooke River.

The Cheewhat Cedar in Pacific Rim National Park is the largest known tree in Canada. This building sized behemoth lives only about 100 km away, as the eagle flies, from my home. Thankfully I don't need to go that far to visit ancient cedars.

Cedars favour a moist, wet environment making the Sooke River riparian zone prime growing habitat. Only a few kilometres from my house I can access some of my favourite giant, ancient cedars growing where the land and the river meet.

Riparian zones provide rich habitat and have high biodiversity.

Wikipedia describes riparian zones as "important natural biofilters, protecting aquatic environments from excessive sedimentation, polluted surface runoff and erosion. They supply shelter and food for many aquatic animals and shade that is an important part of stream temperature regulation."

There are a trio of trees in this ancient cedar grove on the Sooke River bank.

Cedars are a major part of Vancouver Island riparian ecosystems. This community of plants ensures perfects conditions for spawning and growing salmon. Any damage to the cedars and the riparian zone will result in damage to salmon runs, as has been the case all along BC's coast.


An unhealthy salmon run reflects back on the rivers and damage to the riparian zone results. Every year millions of salmon return to their river birthplaces and provide riparian areas with tons of nutrients. No fish - no nutrients.

Broken top cedars on the river bank show their advanced age.

Some of the local cedars I visit on my bike rides could be up to 800 years old. Or more. I marvel that they still exist, and breathe a sigh of relief each time I go for a visit and see that they are still there.

Then I soak up the history and magic of the riverside groves and of these patient, wise tree beings that have so much to share. They don't call it the "Tree of Life" for nothing.

Soon the salmon will be running along the base of their land dwelling tree friends, continuing the cycle of life for both fish and trees.

Perhaps one day in the distant future one of the Sooke River cedars will be the largest tree in Canada.

Metchosin Holdouts - Old Growth Survivors

Ancient Douglas-fir in Metchosin close to Taylor and Rocky Point Rds,
seen from Kangaroo Rd looking south west

Bilston Creek Farm was established in 1853, and was the first colonial settlement of Metchosin. Up until then the Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem had existed relatively unchanged since the end of the last ice age 10,000 years ago. Groves of giant fir were interspersed with Garry oak meadows. Arbutus grew on rocky outcrops and along the ocean.

After the arrival of Europeans, much of the original forest in the area was altered. But patches of old forest remain, and while much of it is on private property, parks in the area also provide a refuge.

Metchosin is not pro-development like neighbouring municipalities, so other than the agricultural areas, most of the land is covered in forest. For the patient tree hunter, individual giant first growth trees can still be found.

One such tree is the seemingly out-of-place, over-sized Douglas-fir that can be seen on private land just off Rocky Point Road near the intersection with Taylor Road. This lonely senior citizen of the forest continues to hold on after living for hundreds of years, and experiencing the death of most of its kin. Now it stands alone among the young whipper-snappers of trees half its size.

This big, old Douglas-fir has size and character - truly an impressive specimen

This wrinkled grandparent tree has swayed through countless gales blowing off the close-by ocean, and no doubt these strong winds have imposed many an indignity on the tree's lofty branches. Now, with deeply wrinkled bark and a dying leader up top, this graying holdout perches us on its rooty knees and regales us with stories of the mighty ancient forest that it was part of until recently.

We would be wise to listen to these elders, and learn the lessons they have to share with us. Otherwise, will the children of the future know that there were once magnificent trees such as this?

The Longevity of Vancouver Island's Ancient Trees

The Cheewhat Cedar - 2000 to 3000 years old and still growing

Every time I go into the old growth, and stand next to ancient trees as wide as houses, I feel a sense of my brief tenure on this globe. It is with humility that I compare my lightning flash of life to the eon-spanning longevity of the massive Pacific Coast trees. How old can these giants get? Could they live forever?

Trees are at the opposite end of the life span spectrum as mayflies, which epitomise the saying, "Life is short, then you die". In its adult stage, the tiny insect flutters about looking for a mate before the day, and its life, are over. Different types of trees have been known to live thousands of years, including some of those on Vancouver Island.

Vancouver Island grows some of the largest, gnarliest, and oldest trees on the planet. These massive forests are unique among temperate forest regions of the world, and contain more biomass per square meter than tropical rain forests. Hot summers and mild winters provide an environment that is perfect for growing big, ancient conifers.

How Old Do Vancouver Island's Trees Get?

A yellow cedar that grew in the Caren Range on the Sunshine Coast portion of BC's mainland coast is Canada's oldest documented tree. An actual ring count was possible because the tree had been cut down in an old growth clear cut. The cedar was found to be 1836 years old. Are older trees out there?

Yellow Cedar

The more we learn about trees the longer we extend their lifespans. The beautiful, slow growing Yellow-cedar may live for 3500 years under ideal conditions, with a diameter of 119 inches and height of  130 feet.

Sitka Spruce

The salt-tolerant, coast-hugging Sitka spruce typically lives to 500 years, but under ideal conditions can push 750 years. In that time it will grow up to a 244 foot height with a 210 inch diameter trunk.

Red Creek Douglas-fir, 750 - 900 years old

Douglas-fir

The premier tree of Vancouver Island's dry east coast forest is the mighty Douglas-fir. It commonly lives up to 750 years. It doesn't even reach peak seed cone production until it is several centuries old. Under ideal conditions these 260 foot skyscrapers can live up to 1200 years old, with a 174 inch diameter trunk.

Western Red-cedar

Western red-cedar is another tree that knows about longevity. It commonly grows to 1000 years, and under ideal conditions can push 2000. An ancient 120 foot red-cedar could sport a jumbo 252 inch diameter bole.



Hemlock

Hemlocks grow to about 400 years old, but can be as old as 800 years. Western hemlock can shoot up to 211 feet with a 104 inch diameter base.

Could Trees Live Indefinitely?

In the 1800s, British botanist John Lindley said his research had failed to show that there was a definite lifespan set for any tree, and that if circumstances favored there seemed no reason why trees might not live indefinitely.

British-born American botanist Thomas Meehan agreed after studying the trees of North America's Pacific Coast forests. This may not be as far fetched as it first seems. I found a more recent reference on the net that claimed, "There are trees that could live indefinitely in the absence of environment factors that could kill them. The giant redwoods are an example of this type of plant."

That is certainly how I feel when among the old trees. That if it were not for catastrophic weather events, root rot, insect attack, fire, and human intervention, some of these trees might just grow and thrive forever.

Urban Big Trees - Sooke's Billings Spit Cedars

In an ideal world all utilities would run underground. If they did, our trees would be one of the biggest beneficiaries. In cities and towns across the land trees are mutilated in the name of keeping the power flowing. And keeping the power flowing can be difficult in big tree country during a windstorm, so trees must be trimmed. Here is an example of an impressive Western red cedar that has received a "bole cut" in order to clear the way for the power lines.



One thing the trim did was reveal some of the inner structure of this amazing tree. Possibly hundreds of years old, this tree shows its age with several major vertical branches forming a candelabra of leaders. The trunk is buttressed and thick with time, and it hosts several branches that would be large trees on their own.


There are several large and ancient cedars along Glenidle Rd. on Billings Spit in Sooke, including this one. Billings Spit is good cedar habitat. It is wet and often misty on the point dividing Sooke's harbour and basin. The other cedars are away from the power lines so escaped the embarrassing trim, but they are all impressive. It is amazing that these trees have survived the development of this area. I am glad they have because they are a major feature of the neighbourhood.

Giant Douglas-fir In Sooke

This is the biggest Douglas fir I have found within the Sooke, B.C. town boundary. It is a healthy, robust specimen that is easily several hundred years old. Although I think it is within a park, it has a gravel pit on either side of it, one of which is still active and is getting closer to encroaching upon this ancient survivor all the time. Photo: by author

Tree Meditation

The big trees of Vancouver Island (and the world) need friends now like never before. On southern Vancouver Island the majority of original Douglas fir forest is gone. The Victoria Chapter of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee estimated that only 13% of the original old-growth forests on the South Island remained after a 2004 survey. Now logging companies like Timber West are selling forest land for real estate development. Once that happens, the forest is gone forever.

Like trusted pets, trees are good listeners. And if you listen closely, you will also find that trees, especially the ancients, will gladly impart life lessons to you. Friends, as Shakti Gawain tells us, come in many forms. The following is her prescription for regular visits to your own special tree:

Tree Meditation

"Find a special tree. Sit under it, or climb up and sit in it, or stand close to it and put your arms around it, finding whatever way feels right to relate to it physically.

Close your eyes and relax into a meditative state of mind. Imagine that this tree is a mother, father, brother, or sister to you. Talk to it in your mind and tell it how you feel about it. Then let your mind be quiet, and let yourself receive the energy from this tree. You may find it to be nurturing, or strong, or wise, or perhaps humorous. Trust whatever relationship you feel with this tree.

If you live nearby, come to see your tree often. You may find it to be a very comforting and loving friend."

The Pacific Coast forests, spared catastrophic forest fires due to the wet climate, are ancient and special. Old growth trees, any where from 250 to 1000 years old exude an energy field similar to an eighty year old sea turtle or a hundred year old human elder. Slow, patient, strong, with lessons learned by successfully navigating the storms of life. It is at our peril that we ignore what our elders have to teach us.

Tree meditations are a two way street. You will feel better, and the tree will be strengthened by your presence.

Ground yourself. Visit your favourite tree today. Visit your tree often. It is a mutually healing encounter. Do you have a favourite tree? Or forest?