Oldest Tree In The Maritimes

It has recently been discovered  that an Eastern hemlock is the oldest known tree in Nova Scotia and the Maritimes.

The tree, located in a stand not far from the South Panuke Wilderness Area, northwest of Hubbards, was measured to be 532 years old. 

That is a respectable age for a tree in the Eastern Forest. With the tiny amount of old growth left in the Maritimes, it is a wonder that any trees this old continue to exist.

The land the tree is on used to be owned by the Bowater Mersey Paper Company. The province bought the parcel, along with many others, in 2012.

Are there older trees in Nova Scotia? 

Undoubtably. 

Do they, and all old growth, deserve protection?

Absolutely. 

They are a global wonder and treasure, and are worth more standing.

Forest Protector Blockade In Digby County

Who are Nova Scotia's forests to benefit? 

Only humans? 

If so, which humans? The ones that want to recreate in large stretches of old forest, or just know that they exist? Or are they to benefit the few from cutting those same forests down?

If our forests are also for the many other things that live in this special ecosystem, which other living things? How about the endangered mainland moose? 

Will we save enough for them to continue in perpetuity? 

If not, which species are we willing to let go extinct so that some humans can benefit from taking their homes?

"Members of Extinction Rebellion and other concerned citizens were served an injunction Dec. 11 against blocking access to Crown land in Digby County designated for logging by the provincial Lands and Forestry Department.

The Extinction Rebellion-led group had set up the blockades nearly two months earlier as a protest against clearcutting and an effort to draw attention to Lands and Forestry’s failure to uphold the provincial Endangered Species Act and to protect the mainland moose habitat."

Read more here.