Canada’s Largest Sitka Spruce

The Marvel of an Ancient Rainforest Giant

An afternoon sun shone between fluffy clouds and reflected off the massive grey trunk of a giant Sitka Spruce. The warming rays illuminated the surrounding salal, young conifers, fern, and moss-covered understory. It was a tranquil scene alive with wildlife sounds, the gentleness of a hidden brook, and the tap-tap-tap of a Red-Breasted Sapsucker, all bearing witness to the presence of this huge ancient tree.

We looked up into a centuries-old tangle of moss and lichen covered limbs that stretched skyward 77.8 metres with a diameter of 4.36 metres, a silent but overwhelming welcome to Chris, Rosie, and me. We were awestruck by the enormous size of this magnificent monolith; its girth, an incredible 14 metres, was a testament to the passage of over eight hundred years!

Standing before its huge mass we contemplated our own existence, feeling small, insignificant, and fragile compared to this remarkable tree’s being. What radical worldly changes it has witnessed, and the amazing tales of survival it must have endured: hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, disease… In that moment of reflection, far from city cares, we felt a natural connection to nature’s grandeur, and the Devine’s broad tapestry of life.

Red-Breasted Sapsucker communicate and defend territory using a distinctive, irregular drumming pattern

Vancouver Island is home to some of the most remarkable and ancient trees in Canada… due to the nurturing nature of the Island’s rainforests and Pacific Coastal environment.

The tallest known tree in Canada is a 314ft (96 m) Sitka spruce dubbed the Carmanah Giant in the Carmanah Valley. The widest is a redcedar at Cheewhat Lake. The Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) before us is the largest (by volume) Sitka Spruce tree in Canada.

List of Canada’s Largest Sitka Spruce (Registered by Volume/Girth at UBC)

San Jo’s Smiley: Currently recognized as Canada’s largest known Sitka spruce by overall size. This 77.8 metre giant is located in the Quatsino territory on northern Vancouver Island.

San Juan Spruce: This Spruce was long considered the champion by volume (approximately 333 cubic meters), However, this massive tree near Port Renfrew lost its official “largest” title after losing its top half in a storm several years ago. This magnificent tree is now 62.5 metres tall

Hydra Spruce: Discovered in 2022 in the Carmanah Valley, this tree is the largest spruce overall in that specific valley (due to its massive base and multiple trunks), even though it is shorter than the Carmanah Giant.

Carmanah Giant: Holds the title of “Canada’s tallest tree”, reaching approximately 95.8 meters (314 feet). It is also considered the tallest Sitka spruce in the world. However it is not the largest by volume.

The Sitka Spruce species is the fifth tallest conifer in the world, routinely reaching heights of 50 to 70 metres, or in this case 78 metres. Some unusually tall specimens have documented heights of 90-100 metres.

Native to the west coast of North America, the Sitka Spruce thrives in the North Vancouver Island’s cool, moist climates, and can live 800 or more years. Its distinctive needles are green, stiff and sharp. They are four-sided but slightly flattened with two white bands running along the upper surface and two narrower bands along the lower surface, needles that encircle a branch. Spruce trees can be distinguished from “fir” trees because they have downwards-hanging pale brown cones about 10 cm in length. The bark is very distinctive, thin and scaly. Sitka spruce wood is highly valued for its strength and resonance, making it a popular choice for musical instruments. It has excellent fibre resonating properties for crafting sound boards for pianos, guitars, and violins. Interesting eh!

The Sitka Spruce plays a crucial role in local ecosystems, contributing to self sustaining rainforest biospheres and rich understory habitat many forest inhabitants depend on.

Wandering through British Columbia forests it is easy to feel both humbled and invigorated. Rainforest canopies create homes for countless forms of life, thousands of invertebrates, reptiles, animals, bird life. However, amongst such magnificent monarchs of nature my greatest pleasure is companionship… sharing the experience in the company of Christine and Rosie my Australian Shepherd… Each adventure reminding me of the delicate balance and beauty of these wild spaces. The scent of fallen evergreen needles mixes with the changing seasonal hues: lush spring and summer greens; then the vivid yellows, deep browns, and shimmering gold of Fall, and the silent renewing white winter snows.

Campsite Amongst a Renewing Spruce Forest

Seasonal changes that set the stage for Chris, Rosie, and I… to head out to our favourite forest haunts always amazed at breathtaking scenery and interesting wildlife encounters. Thrilling moments featuring Roosevelt Elk, Pine Martens, Red Squirrels, Black Bears, and Black-Tailed Deer appear as they forage in valleys or hide among the forest undergrowth, all highlighted by sunlight streaming through the canopy. Exploring winding forest trails, climbing hills, and venturing around windfalls reveals true magnificence of the Wild Kingdom…. Flora and fauna just waiting to be discovered, enjoyed, and marvel at. Today’s discovery is a giant ancient Sitka Spruce aptly named “The San Jo Smiley.”

In closing, our adventure to the San Jo Smiley today was more than an exploration, it was a profound reminder of our place within nature’s grand design. Amidst the towering Sitka spruce and vibrant rainforest life, we found both awe and serenity, reaffirming our connection to the wonderful forests of Vancouver Island. Such moments inspire a deep respect for the wild spaces we are privileged to experience, and a lasting gratitude for the companionship and wonder they bring. Today’s find extends far beyond the living tree’s impressive stature and longevity; it embodies a living connection between humanity and the wild kingdom.

Safe Travels,

Gord