Angus Allison

If the forests of B.C. have been in existence for 14,000 years, and the average natural rotation age for forests and trees in the Interior of B.C. is 100 years and 350 years on the Coast, then Mother Nature has altered and renewed these forests 140 times in the Interior and 40 times on the Coast. B.C.’s tree, the Western Red Cedar, is reputed to have been on the Coast for just 4,000 years. Mother Nature has used—in the process of altering the forests and/or individual trees—fire, wind throw, insect infestation, disease, flooding and mass movement (land slides).

The call for ecologically based forest management would demand, in large measure, hands off management without human intervention. Would this philosophy have been acceptable during the three times in the last 2,000 years that the Vancouver watersheds became completely burned out? Probably not. During the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation? Again, probably not.

I believe that man should emulate, imitate nature, as best as is possible when extracting value from forest alteration. Everything in moderation. Avoid the extremes.

A good start to widely acceptable, ecologically based forest management in whatever form, would be to establish an agreed upon definition of old growth. Undisturbed by man, ever, and only 40 times by nature? Much to do in this regard as Cathedral grove is an old growth forest, a majestic forest and a decadent forest.

With climate change well under way, its time for constructive debate on the forest issues so important to the people of B.C.