Canada’s fourth-widest tree located in North Vancouver, estimated to be over 1000 years old

One of the widest trees in Canada was found in the Lynn Valley area of North Vancouver.

The tree, nicknamed “The North Shore Giant”, was located by Colin Spratt, a Vancouver big-tree hunter, and Ian Thomas of the Ancient Forest Alliance.

Thomas said he was completely awestruck when he came across the ancient western red cedar in the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park.

“It really resonates with you, for me, at least deeply spiritually to encounter one of the these ancient beings that has survived over the centuries,” says Thomas.

“It’s sort of a deep spiritual reverence, I would say, as well as a total kind of giddy excitement to be able to be in the presence of something like this.”

Thomas said the tree is measured at 5.8 metres (19.1 feet) and they are “very confident (it is) over 1000 years old.”

He added that the measurements are tentative, and an official measurement will be done in the future.

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Thomas said while the North Shore Giant is in a safe place, red cedar all over B.C. are in danger without protection from being cut down.

“The lion’s share of my work is really looking for these unprotected groves and working to try and protect them.”

Thomas said they are calling for the government to invest around $300 million to help ensure the safety of the trees.

“They’re incredibly important for the climate, for the ecology of the wide variety of local species, as well as for tourism and culture. And so what’s really important is that the government invests in protecting these forests.”

According to the Ancient Forest Alliance, 90% of the high productivity old-growth forests with the biggest trees and over 80% of the medium productivity old-growth forests have been logged in B.C.