Paradise of Conifers
The Pacific Coast...is the paradise of conifers. Here nearly all of them are giants, and display a beauty and magnificence unknown elsewhere. - John Muir
DId you know that the Forest of Giants in the Olympic National Park is home to some of the world’s largest trees? These trees are gargantuan! AND some of the largest outside of the Redwoods and Sequoias in California. The Forest includes Western Red Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Douglas Fir, Yellow Cedar, Western Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock, Englemann Spruce and Grand Fir. Some call them Champions. I call that a lot of smell good.
Last June we traveled to Lake Quinault and visited a champion Sitka Spruce (picea sitchensis). This giant is over a thousand years old, close to 200 feet tall, and is Washington State’s 3rd largest tree. This tree is pretty accessible; about a 5-minute walk from the road.
The largest Douglas Fir in the world is located in an undeveloped area in the Quinault Research Natural Area, but we were able to catch a glimpse at some of its huge cousins from the Quinault Loop Trail.
So what's the secret to their stature and longevity? Well, everyone of these trees is a result of the perfect combination of conditions that helped it to survive the elements and storms, disease and pests, just the right amount of good soil and water and growing in an area protected by the landscape.
There is nothing more magnificent than standing at the foot of one of these giants which has stood perfectly still for a thousand years, giving the illusion that the ground it stands on, the sky it touches and time itself must go on forever.
To find out more about Champion trees, check out the National Register of Big Trees on American Forest.org
I'm definitely feeling a little more than inspired by these towering conifers to create a new essential oil scent blend. Something fresh and herbal and slightly camphor-like...Mmmm.
#coniferlove
