After finding this tree and exploring the remaining grove, I got this heavy mixed feeling I couldn’t shake. It was part joy, little sadness and real curiosity for where there could be more trees like this. For some curious reason, the tree that has caught my attention is the western redcedar or Thuja plicata to be fancy. Like many things named in the Pacific North West area, this is not a true cedar, regardless it holds a significant importance & value to all people for its rot-resistant properties. It was especially important to Indigenous people of the Pacific North West for its range of uses to make rope, baskets, clothing, rain hats, canoes, totem poles, and tools. These trees can live well over 1,000 years, reaching heights above 70m/230 ft and diameters beyond 7m/23 ft. And after looking at a few of these old old growths, they seem to grow into their own personality shape over time!
Legend has it, this grove of trees was preserved by Park Ranger Harold J. Engles who apparently kept these trees a secret on maps and didn’t include them for planned timber sales. You can find these beautiful giants out by Glacier Peak, WA as the memorial trail named after Harold.
After this experience I got quite curious what other amazing trees could be out there. And just in case you too want to go on your own wild tree chase:
https://nationalchampiontree.org/
https://www.monumentaltrees.com/
#thicktrunktuesday #oldgrowth #cascadia #westernredcedar #trees
