Vancouver Island Tree Stories

Preferring to grow in lush rainforest where moisture is consistent, these trees are versatile and are found all over Vancouver Island from the coast to inland mountains. Growing on the shores of a tiny lake in a lush valley bottom near the southwest coast of Vancouver Island the Cheewhat Cedar is Canada’s largest tree at 18 meters in circumference, 2,500 years old.

This shade tolerant tree withstands extremely wet conditions and is the apex species growing in the ancient rainforest along the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Revered as the ‘Tree of Life’ by Coast people who removed planks, bark, and roots in ways that allowed the tree to continue growing for centuries.

Designated as British Columbia’s Official Tree, Red Cedar is the most heavily logged species in the province, where ancient trees are prized because of the high market price.