A number of people commented on the trees in a recent post. I was reminded of a French woman who lived on Gabriola Island. She had a restaurant there in a log building in the forest. After a delicious dinner, I asked her what brought her to Canada. She had been living in Paris during the unrest of the 1970s and said she just wanted to live where there were trees. So she moved to western Canada, to a relatively remote island, and made her life there. She has since died, but I think of her from time to time. She spent the majority of her adult years there in the trees.
Trees are so important to the health of our planet, producing oxygen and cleaning the air from pollutants, to name just two of their benefits.
The large maple leaves in my last post are from Western Maples, also known as Big Leaf Maples. They can be huge. And unlike Eastern Maples in the other part of our continent, they are not red, but golden in autumn. Still very beautiful.
Long time readers might remember our exploration of large trees a couple of years ago. Some of our trees are very old and very large. In the above photo I'm standing beside the Red Creek Fir, the largest Douglas Fir tree in the world, and about 1000 years old. Just imagine the things happening in other parts of the world when this tree grew from a seed to a sapling to the enormous specimen it now is.
For those interested in numbers, the diameter is 4.2 metres (14 feet), with a circumference of 9.8 metres (32 feet) and a height of 73.8 metres (242 feet). The top just disappears into the sky.
But a tree doesn't have to be massive to be appreciated. I love listening to the wind in the trees. Such a gentle sound. I also love looking up, up, up into the sky to see the tops of trees when I'm in the woods. I have to lean way back to see them.
Here's Tim standing in front of the world's second largest Sitka Spruce tree. He's 6 feet tall and is dwarfed by the massive tree.
I would be hard pressed to choose favourite tree, but I am partial to a birch tree with papery white bark and delicate leaves. Do you have a favourite tree?
For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider,
every green tree is far more glorious
than if it were made of gold and silver
Martin Luther
Hello from the UK. I read your posts but have not commented before. Thank you for your interesting blog, so lovely to read about your life and wonderful country. I love trees, all types, my Grandfather, a dear and very wise man, worked for The Forestry Commission in his latter years and taught my sister and I so much about trees, wildlife and nature in general. Most of all my favourite tree is the Beech tree, it is so graceful and turns the loveliest bronze in Autumn. Take care Sue H
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and for commenting. When we visited the UK 10 years ago we walked in a Beech wood near Stroud, and I loved it. Beautiful trees.
DeleteListening to the summer breeze riffling the leaves in the birch trees around our home is a favourite childhood memory
ReplyDeleteLeaves in the wind is such a beautiful sound.
DeleteIt has only been in the last few years where my love for trees has sprouted. My preference was always wide open vistas with no obstructions from trees. Now I aim for a forest, that's where I feel a comforting embrace. The Western Maple leaves I saw in Victoria last week were massive. If I were to pick a favourite tree, it would be the tree I would be currently standing beside!
ReplyDeleteThe wide open spaces are so vast and lovely and I enjoy them when we cross the Rockies. But give me a forest for living in.
DeleteOh, I 'm very delighted , reading Martin Luther here. It's an Inspiration. Also the very lovely autumn mood in each capture too. Greetings by Heidrun 🎃
ReplyDeleteThank you, Heidrun.
DeleteI love that last image. Nature is a wonderful thing. We have a stand of about six silver birches near us. They always look perfect in winter against a blue sky. So many trees to love. Definitely oak trees and maples too. Sadly not enough maples to enjoy over here. Not sure we have the best climate for them. B x
ReplyDeleteNature is so varied. It's impossible to tire of it. That little tree in the middle of Fairy Lake is a very popular photo op.
DeleteMoving to the Pacific Northwest from Southern California we were struck and in awe of all the trees! Our daughter missed the trees when she was at College in Wheaton, Illinois. Great photos of the majestic trees!
ReplyDeleteTrees are so astounding.
DeleteDan and I spent the day out for a walk and lunch out. The trees are so lovely this year. I'll share my photos soon. Those are magnificent trees where you are.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to enjoy the autumn colours while you can.
DeleteI do like trees . . . and as you say they are so important for our planet.
ReplyDeleteOur local council is busy planning and planting some new ones at the moment, I am so delighted they do this every year.
Enjoy your Autumn days.
All the best Jan
I can understand why someone would move just to be surrounded by trees. There is something very peaceful and comforting about a forest. Those giant trees are incredible, especially the Douglas Fir. Your photos really show how small we are beside them!
ReplyDeleteI can understand why someone would move just to be surrounded by trees. There is something very peaceful and comforting about a forest. Those giant trees are incredible, especially the Douglas Fir. Your photos really show how small we are beside them!
ReplyDeleteBonjour Lorrie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful region you live in. All these primary forests, with their venerable, centuries-old trees, are jewels that humanity absolutely must preserve. In Canada, you are fortunate enough to still possess vast forests. It is a true luxury to be able to walk through them and your photos as usual do justice to Nature.
J'aime aussi beaucoup les arbres et après les incendies et les canicules de cet été en France, beaucoup de personnes réalisent à quel point ils sont indispensables à notre survie.
Mon arbre préféré est le chêne, de préférence un vieux chêne, avec des branches tortueuses et un tronc qui s'élève haut dans le ciel. Les chênes sont des modèles de longévité qui poussent lentement et c’est en les observant que je prends véritablement conscience que nous ne vivons pas du tout sur "la même échelle de temps" que Dame Nature. Et cela me rend humble.
Bonne fin de semaine
Hélène 🌹
I love trees. If I had to pick just one it would be the spruce 🌲
ReplyDeleteEvergreen. And wonderful at Christmas.