Know Your Roots! Canada’s Historic Trees
Trees are some of the largest and longest living organisms on
earth. Although all trees benefit the environment, specific trees
function as commemorative memorials, expressions of religious
commitment, and as cultural icons. The Canadian Register of
Historic Places (CRHP) lists numerous examples of historic trees
that have been commemorated as special landmarks in our landscape.
Surrey, British Columbia has recognized the importance of a
number of trees associated with their history. There is, for
example, the Avenue of Trees, a row of planted ceremonial
trees, including 14 Douglas Firs and 3 Western Red Cedars. Located
near the historic heart of Surrey and adjacent to Christ Church,
these trees were planted in 1884 and represent the community's
religious commitment as well as the early pioneers who are buried
in a nearby cemetery. Also located in Surrey is the Royal Oak Tree, significant for its connection
to the British monarchy. Planted in 1937, this tree celebrates the
coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. It also
helps to mark the historic centre of Surrey, and has ties to the
royal forest at Windsor Great Park, England where the tree, as a
sapling, originated.
Surrey has other historic trees, some of which are quite
unusual. One is the Rock Tree, a Western Red Cedar growing out of a
split glacial boulder. The tree holds spiritual significance to the
local First Nations community who has given it the name
'Th'exsiyamia' meaning 'pushing forward great respected
one'. Although not unheard of for trees like this to grow out
of rocks in the mountains, it is uncommon to find a tree of this
size growing from a boulder in the lower mainland. Additionally,
the Red Cedar Stump, estimated to be 500 to 1000
years old, is the remains of one of the first growth trees in North
Surrey and pays homage to the pre-European settlement landscape. At
30 feet in circumference, the stump conveys the colossal size of
the trees that were cut down by early loggers in Surrey. It is now
a reminder of the town's early history and of the scale of
pre-settlement forests in the area.
In nearby Langley, British Columbia, in the aftermath of the
First World War, street names were changed to commemorate fallen
soldiers who lived in the township. Of 360 men who went overseas
from this city, 36 died in the line of duty. In order to create a
living memorial for these fallen soldiers a tree was planted at
each renamed street; of those originally planted, only four
memorial trees have survived: The Johnston Memorial Maple Tree, named after a
local grocer; the Wilson Memorial Tree, named to honour a man who
died at Vimy Ridge, the Wright Memorial Tree dedicated to the memory of
another soldier who fell at Vimy; and the Trattle Memorial Tree, which memorializes a
local farmer and Canadian Pacific Railway Worker who perished at
Vimy Ridge. These four trees are now an immense size and
notable community landmarks are reminders of the sacrifices our
ancestors made.
Several areas have also been registered historic places
specifically for their affiliation with trees significant to
Canada's cultural heritage. A trip to Vancouver's Stanley Park National Historic Site of Canada,
is not complete without visiting the giant hollow tree, the subject
of attention by tourists and locals alike for over 100 years. The massive dead
tree stump of this long-standing attraction has been held up by a
growing mass of metal braces and cables after it suffered serious
damage from a powerful windstorm in December 2006. Although plans
to remove the tree have been attempted, public outcry and funding
through private donation have twice thwarted this endeavour.
Calgary's Wood's Douglas Fir Tree Sanctuary, protects a
collection of Blue Douglas Firs that have nearly been eliminated
from the province by fires and lumbering. Significant to the local
First Nations community, this area is known as
'man-a-cha-pan' which can be loosely translated to "the
place where they go for bows," providing the neighbouring Bow River
with its name. Prince Edward Island's Royalty Oaks Natural Area consists of what is
perhaps the largest concentrated area of the province's official
tree, the Red Oak. Once utilized for fox farming and gathering
lumber for the wooden shipbuilding boom, this almost untouched
area, now a public site, is home to trees most of which are over a
century old!
If you find yourself in Ontario's Niagara region be sure to
visit the Copper Beech Tree located in the Battle of Lundy's Lane National Historic Site
of Canada at Drummond Hill Cemetery in Niagara Falls. The site of
the battle itself, Lundy's Lane, was a major
encounter during the latter stages of the War of 1812 involving
American troops clashing with the British and their Canadian and
First Nations Allies. The lengthy battle is known as one of the
bloodiest confrontations during the war and signaled the
termination of American offensive operations in Upper Ontario
(Ontario). The Copper Beech tree itself was planted on January 1,
1914 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle
of Lundy's Lane. Nearly a century old, this commemorative tree
stands sentential over the nearby graveyard where the soldiers of
the war lie buried, an enduring testament to the sacrifice they
made.
From coast to coast, trees form a significant part of our
culture and identity. In fact, the Canadian Forest Service
estimates that trees occupy almost half of this country's terrain.
Historically, trees have been vital to the development of Canada
and our forest industry continues to play a significant economic
role. For their spiritual, cultural and natural advantages, the
Canadian Register is proud to recognize and celebrate trees as
living monuments to our history. Discover your roots!