International Day of Forests

Happy International Day of Forests!

Today – and every day – is a fantastic time to celebrate the magnificent forest ecosystems in BC. These forests are home to some of the oldest, tallest, and widest trees known on Earth.

“Champion Trees” are the largest known examples of their species. This is calculated by the combination of a tree’s trunk diameter, height, and the size of its crown. For example, the Cheewhat Cedar is BC’s ultimate Champion Tree. It’s the largest tree in Canada and the largest red-cedar known on Earth.

To see a list of more Champion Trees and maybe even nominate one yourself, check out the BC BigTree Registry.

We’ve compiled a few of the most famous giants found in BC, along with some more recent finds. The quest for even larger trees is always ongoing and AFA’s big-tree seekers are sure there are even bigger ones still out there waiting to be found!

The Cheewhat Cedar, first identified in 1988, is not only Canada's largest tree but the world’s largest known redcedar. There are legends of even larger cedars but in the Cheewhat’s 34 years of holding the title as Champion Tree, none have yet emerged from the shadows to take the crown. Location: Cheewhat Lake, Ditidaht Territory. Height 182 ft (55.5 m), diameter 19 ft (5.84 m).

The Red Creek Fir, first identified in 1976, has enjoyed a 46-year reign as the world’s largest Douglas-fir tree and title of Champion Tree. Challengers have come and gone but the Red Creek Fir has kept its crown. Location: San Juan Valley, Pacheedaht Territory. Height 243 ft (74 m), diameter 13.8 ft (4.23 m).

Maxine’s Tree, first identified in 1990, is a mighty Sitka spruce and former Champion Tree. It’s considered to be one of the most perfect specimens of Sitka spruce to be found anywhere in the world. For a time, it was considered Canada’s largest Sitka spruce until it was dethroned by an even larger one growing on northern Vancouver Island. Location: Walbran Valley, Pacheedaht Territory. Height 265 ft (80.8 m), diameter 13.7 ft (4.18 m).

The iconic Big Lonely Doug, a lone survivor of an ancient forest that was clearcut in 2011, is the second-largest Douglas-fir tree known in BC. This magnificent giant has since received international recognition as a symbol for vanishing old-growth forests in this province. Location: Edinburgh Mountain, Pacheedaht territory. Height 216 ft (66 m), diameter 12.4 ft (3.79 m).

The Alberni Giant, identified in 2019 by AFA, is among the last of an elite class of giant Douglas-firs that once dominated the south coast before 150 years of industrial logging almost completely wiped them out. For dedicated tree hunters, locating one of these rare giants is like winning the big-tree lottery. Nahmint Valley, Hupačasath territory. Diameter 12 ft (3.64 m) Height: 202 ft (61.8 m)

The Klanawa Colossus, identified in 2020, is a monstrous Sitka spruce that grows deep in the lush rainforest of the Klanawa Valley. Location: Klanawa River, Huu-ay-aht territory. Height unknown, diameter 11.9 ft (3.62 m).

“Oh My Darling!”, identified in 2020, is an ancient redcedar that grows on the slopes of a small tributary of the Darling River. The forests nearby were just recently logged. Location: Darling River, Huu-ay-aht territory. Height unknown, diameter 13.7 ft (4.21 m).

The Lyall Giant is a giant redcedar that grows in the dense coastal rainforest of Barkley Sound. First identified in 2021, it’s a magnificent reminder that there are still new giants waiting to be found. Location: Barkley Sound, Toquaht/Tseshaht territory. Height unknown, diameter 15.6 ft (4.76 m).

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