4 minute read
Trees and their people
We asked Ryan Barfoot, Lesley Pihl, Greg Hemphill, and Sandy McCormick about their favourite trees.
It sounds like a simple question, but so much is contained in our relationship with the forest around us. Our commitment to “green” starts here.
What’s your favourite tree? And why?
Ryan Barfoot • Shore Pine
qathet School District’s Outdoor & Ecological Learning Coordinator Board Member, Outdoor Council of Canada and The Environmental Educators PSA. Founding member of Classrooms to Communities BC.
Ecologists advocate for allowing trees to naturally decay, as they continue to nourish the ecosystem long after they’ve ceased to live.
This weathered shore pine, with its rugged appearance, likely conceals a far greater age than meets the eye, owing to its exposed habitat. To me, this tree embodies a sense of majestic guardianship, presiding over a cherished landscape.
It has graciously offered a resting place for myself, my family, and friends, both human and non-human, throughout the years. Countless numbers of my students have been welcomed beneath its branches, where they can contemplate the sacred map of nature it oversees.
Here, amid moments of recreation and quiet contemplation, connections are forged.
It was beneath the watchful gaze of this pine that we bid farewell to our beloved friend, Colin, who found solace and companionship in this very place. Through this life, and at the end, we all find ourselves in solace, resting among the trees.
Lesley Pihl • Western Red Cedar
Director, Malaspina Land Conservancy Society. Facilitator of pollinator patches for bees. Author, Faerie Takes a Tumble. Grandma. Health advocate.
It’s a difficult decision to pick my favourite tree. I love all trees!
The one that made the greatest impression on me was a giant tree in Eden Grove, near Fairy Creek. There were many people protesting the logging of old growth and some of the group took us into Eden Grove where they had made walkways to protect the ecological balance.
The experience was like nothing I have ever felt; it was like being in a sacred church and we were. We stayed there as long as we could to bask in the feeling of being amongst these elders and then Tracy dug up a tiny seedling so we could plant its incredible genetics in the garden.
My second favourite tree is my willow I planted 20 years ago. It is the centre point of my back yard where we sit with a drink and have guest practitioners and musicians.
Greg Hemphill & Bandit • Douglas-fir
President, Powell River Community Forest voluntary board of directors. Former Ministry of Forests Sunshine Coast district manager. Helped establish the PR, Tla’amin, Cortes, Klahoose, and Sechelt Community Forests.
My early forestry years were spent working on the west coast of Vancouver Island, on forestry crew then on ranger staff.
I was definitely spoiled being in forest areas with the biggest trees (Western Red Cedar) and tallest trees (Sitka Spruce) in Canada.
While the Sunshine Coast forest district has impressive untouched forests in the backcountry, areas like the mainland inlet valleys are not accessible for most folks.
Closer to home, I am impressed with the old growth Douglas-fir veterans which remained after logging in the early 1900’s and have the burn marks showing they also survived forest fires.
If you are looking for some very large scattered Douglas-fir vets, check out the Atrevida loop part of the Sunshine Coast Trail. The trail head for the loop is easy to find; it starts on the right hand side of the Sunshine Coast highway, just before the Atrevida road turnoff.
The entire loop is only 4.3 kilometres of trail through beautiful mature second growth forest. Two hours should be more than enough time.
Sandy McCormick • Douglas-fir
qathet Regional District Area D director (Texada Island). Former chair, Texada Recreation Commission.
When it comes to beautiful trees, Texada Island has lots to choose from.
My favourite is a majestic coast Douglas-fir, found 10 metres off the Beach Loop Trail within earshot of the waves in Shelter Point Regional Park. Known affectionately as the “candelabra tree,” it’s well over 500 years in age and is one of the oldest in the park.
I love this tree because it stands tall and stately, a proud survivor in spite of the damage it would have suffered in its sapling days to split its trunk in three creating the candelabra shape. Its strength and resilience symbolize the resilience and independence of Texada Island and its people.
Born about the time of Columbus’ voyage to the new world, this amazing evergreen conifer stands the test of time and continues to inspire for generations to come.
