Sisters Rita and Janie Dubman enjoy fallen leaves in Burnaby, British Columbia

Trees are as diverse, indicative and as full of meaning as the region they come from and the people that cherish them. It’s no wonder then that arbor days are observed in many countries including Canada.

The Stó:lō First Nation revere the cedar tree. Their traditional territory encompasses all of the Fraser Valley, spans the area from Coquitlam to Yale, with roots from Mission B.C. down to the U.S.

“Everything in our life depend[s] on the cedar tree,” says Charlotte Point, Resident Elder at the University of the Fraser Valley of her Stó:lō tradition.

“They were very crucial and central in our lives…[because they met the people]…cultural, spiritual and basic survival needs [and they] were never cut down without a great ceremony.”

During the autumn season, a striking contrast of every shade of red, green and yellow presents itself on trees. They are all around us – which only makes sense as they offer countless benefits to people and animals.

An abundance of trees, for instance, has been linked to reducing not only CO2 emissions, but also the number of asthma cases, as well as noise from traffic, and soil erosion from heavy rain.

There is no doubt that British Columbia trees and forests are also important to our economy, because many businesses and communities depend on the forest industry. However, there are also many other narratives that connect trees and people. Around the world, trees are cultural symbols and the preservers of a collective memory.

When it comes to the cedar tree itself Charlotte Point says that they are used in cleansing ceremonies, where cedar bows would act as incense, instead of sage or sweet grass, which are not as prevalent in this part of B.C.

“Fresh cedar bows were [also] placed around doors or at cultural gatherings. They absorb energy…[so] if there is any kind of ceremony, [such as a funeral ceremony], they absorb anything negative [and] then they are dropped in water for Mother Nature to clean,” explains Point.

There are an incredible number of tree species in the world, many of them perfectly adapted to their unique circumstances. For instance, the Palo Verde grows in relatively arid landscapes, and has been named the state tree of Arizona. Its green bark allows it to carry out photosynthesis even in periods when it has no leaves at all, due to drought.

There are also many tree and plant species which are unique to our province and its ecosystems, including one right here in southern B.C.

Douglas Justice, associate director and curator of collections at the UBC Botanical Garden - Photo courtesy of UBC Botanical Garden

Douglas Justice, associate director and curator of collections at the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, says that the Garry oaks ecosystem features significant plant biodiversity.

It is unique to two areas in the Fraser Valley, and is also found on “southeastern Vancouver Island, further into Puget Sound, and in south coastal Washington and Oregon.”

Justice says that the UBC Botanical Garden has many other collections, including rare maples.

“We have what would be considered a good collection of maple species from around the world,” says Justice. “There are native Canadian maples, but the vast majority of the collections are from China, Japan, and Korea.”

According to him, the maples are an interest, “because [researchers are] concerned about the loss of habitat… particularly in Asia.”

Justice says that in collaboration with other botanical gardens, researchers are also “trying to grow out a lot of the seedlings to maintain the genetic diversity of the trees, with the ultimate goal of one day giving back the species to their place of origin,” which is referred to as ex-situ conservation. However, conservation is not limited to other countries.

“The local Garry oaks ecosystem in Canada is very endangered, and is disappearing,” says Justice.

With its Garry Oaks Meadow and Woodland Collection, Justice says that the UBC Botanical Garden is showing people that tree conservation is an issue that thrives right here at home.

“We hope to raise awareness to help protect the ecosystem.”