We’re Calling it the Great Root Bear Fir

“Hey Mick, have you ever noticed the immense Douglas fir that’s right beside the A&W in Oyster Bay?” The question was Greg’s, as we had been discussing big trees on Vancouver Island that were easy to find. My answer, though in the affirmative, was also incomplete. What I didn’t mention was the sheer number of times I’d driven past the location without noticing the tree. Is it surprising that a so called big tree hunter like myself could miss something so conspicuous? Well, let’s just say I’m sure my wife of many years would have no trouble imagining that scenario!

The location of the Great Root Bear Fir is just off Trans-Canada Highway 1. Pull in northbound as though you’re headed to the A&W drive thru, but keep off to the right and park along the rail fence. If you enter traveling southbound, then just turn left at Oyster Sto’lo Road to get to the parking area.

Here’s where you’ll want to pull up and park. The building in this photo is no longer there, but the tree, as you can see, is directly behind it. The cedar at right is also worth a look!

This particular fir does indeed sit on the edge of a green belt right beside the A&W parking lot, not too far from Bush Creek. It can clearly be seen from the Trans-Canada Highway, but you get a much better view when traveling southbound. It has been designated as a Wildlife Tree, which will ensure its future protection, but other than that I was unable to find more information. For all intents and purposes, it’s simply been hiding in plain sight!

Greg, Amanda, and I visited the tree recently to check measurements. We were happy to see it in ideal circumstances, as the rainy skies we’d experienced earlier that day cleared for the occasion!

After some deliberation, and comic speculation, we decided on calling the tree the Great Root Bear Fir, in honour of the iconic A&W mascot. That seemed to make sense, at least for the purpose of this story. We joked about naming it after some of the items on the menu, past and present, but Teen Burger, Chubby Chicken, and even the sadly departed Whistle Dog, somehow seemed less fitting names.

A&W’s colourful mascot, the Great Root Bear, one of my happiest childhood memories. Copyright A&W, all rights reserved. I swear, I’m not even trying to get a free burger out of this. Or am I? No, really, I’m not!

Greg has now established that the diameter of this specimen measures 2.40 metres, or 7.88 feet, and that its height is 61 metres, or 200.1 feet. The tree has now been nominated for the British Columbia Big Tree Registry.

Trillium in bloom in the woods nearby

The Great Root Bear Fir is a very respectable 61 metres tall, or just over 200 feet!

Situated on the traditional territory of the Stz’uminus First Nation, it’s truly a throwback to centuries past, when Douglas firs of similar vintage were plentiful. Indeed, in the small grove surrounding the Great Root Bear Fir, there are a number of towering sentinels that may one day attain record size themselves. If you’re ever in the neighbourhood, why not take the time to appreciate this truly spectacular tree? And you know, if you’re hungry…

Note the placard, which marks this Douglas fir as a Wildlife Tree. That is one of the many ways in which a tree can be protected in the province of British Columbia

********AUTHOR’S NOTES*******

TO THE READER: Please reach out to me if you have any knowledge regarding a previously established name for this grand old Douglas fir. My research turned up very little information and if such a name existed I would want to edit this story accordingly.