October 05, 2022
The North Shore’s towering trees hold significant meaning for Indigenous Peoples and those who enjoy the area. That’s why the discovery of the fourth-widest tree in Canada, a western red cedar (Thuja plicata), in the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park is both a cause for celebration and for reflection on what this discovery means.
Nicknamed the North Shore Giant, discovered tree is between 4.8 to 5.8 meters in diameter, or nearly as wide as a Boeing 747 airplane cabin, and over 1,000 years old. For context, the seven largest trees on the BC big tree registry are all located on Vancouver Island. The widest ever recorded is a six-meter western red cedar in Pacific Rim National Park—making this local discovery a rarity.
Forest elders
Evidence shows that these forest elders play a critical role in the fight against climate change. It is estimated that 1% of the world’s giant trees hold 50% of the carbon stored in forests.
Matriarchs in distress
With climate change causing more frequent droughts, western red cedars have shown greater distress than other tree species in recent years, signalling that these matriarchs of BC’s old-growth forests are struggling to adjust to the changes. Genome BC has recently funded a project to address this problem.
Using genomics, the goal is to produce trees with enhanced volume (hello, North Shore Giant’s future cousin) and shorten their growing cycle from 20 to four years. The researchers are also looking into how we can adapt the DNA of these trees to withstand warmer climates and less rain. Hopefully, these advancements will ensure the North Shore remains home to these giants for thousands of years.
Source: CBC News
