Summit Radio Afternoon Host Andrea interviews Erich Meyer, a member of the Creston Valley Climate Action Society and creator of the Tree-Mendous Tree Contest. In honor of Tree Day, listeners and Summit hosts (Wayne Kelly and Chris Kuchar) all shared trees that meant something to them. It’s a beautiful day to take a moment and think about the life that surrounds us in our forests and backyards. Below, listen to the full interview, and see the 2025 submissions for the Tree-Mendous Contest put on by the CVCAS.
This is my favourite tree in Creston. I think it deserves to win this year’s most amazing tree because it’s very old, has many beautiful branches, and it’s at the heart of Creston. I’ve never seen one like it.**Voted WINNER My 2.5 year old loves adventuring around forests. He got so excited when he saw this tremendous tree by Corn Creek in West Creston.I sat and pondered…what is my favourite tree? Quickly I became overwhelmed by the sheer number of possibilities. I can scarcely walk a block without appreciating the gifts that trees give me. Dappled light…dancing at the whisper of a breeze, heady and pungent aromas, fruit, the sound of the trembling aspen…thousands of tiny colliding discs…an ensemble of wind chimes, textures too numerous to convey, strange shapes, and bright colours. How many shades of green can we distinguish? I’ve heard around 300…but I don’t believe it. I think it is one million. And out of the cornucopia of forest, I chose one tree…and a sort-of-dead one at that.This magnificent Birch tree, spreading it’s branches like arms, is the first form of wildlife to be seen at the Discovery Centre, on the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area. It cheerfully greets everyone who visits the Wildlife Centre’s boardwalk, especially children, like these 5-6-year-olds, taking part in a summer camp called Curious Caterpillars. Birch trees can live to 140 years old, so this one has been on guard for many generations, and 100s of thousands of visitors. Notice the “eyes”, scars where branches have fallen off, that smile as you enter. Birches are highly adaptive, and can sustain harsh conditions, like so many of our Valley residents. Birches have been around forever. Fossils of birch have been found to be 49 million years old. Birchwood is used for everything from canoes to popsicle sticks.Our backyard tree in Erickson gives us a lot of shade, and has the perfect lovers swing hanging. The view from the swing is spectacular, overlooking our horses field and the Skimmerhorns in the background.This old pine has been through much in its lifetime, sitting at the top of the Lyon’s Bluff hike in Nelson. Its seen harsh weather and fires, yet persevered through it all to stand tall and beautiful to this day. (Andrea’s Pick)
With the cooler weather creeping in, many of us are gearing up to warm ourselves by the fire- but while Category 1 campfires are not currently prohibited, the Southeast Fire Centre is asking the public to remain cautious.
