Companies urged to conserve ancient trees

 The Forest Practices Board is encouraging the government and forestry companies to get creative to save trees of exceptional size or form, age or historical significance.

The recommendation comes out of an investigation into a public complaint about logging of particularly large trees near Port Renfrew on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, the board said in a news release.

“This complaint highlights the strong public interest in seeing more ancient trees and forest stands preserved to live out their natural lives and functions, and managed as a social, economic and ecological asset to the public and surrounding communities,” said board chair Al Gorley.

“These significant trees can be from 500 to over 1,000 years old. Having withstood the ravages of time over many centuries, they can inspire awe and reverence, a sense of spirituality and connection to past events,” the release states.

The report found that the licensee in question complied with legislation, and did retain some trees of similar size and age to those harvested.