San Juan Spruce

The San Juan Spruce is a Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) tree located in the San Juan Valley of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Until July 2016 it was the second largest known Sitka spruce tree by volume,[2] surpassed only by the Queets Spruce in Washington, United States.[3]

San Juan Spruce
San Juan Spruce with a human for scale, 2011
SpeciesSitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)
LocationVancouver Island
British Columbia, Canada
Coordinates48°35′17″N 124°11′12″W
Height62.5 m (205 ft)
Girth11.65 m (38.2 ft)
Diameter3.71 m (12.2 ft)
Volume of trunk333 m3 (11,800 cu ft)[1][2]

History

The tree flourished due to its location on the shaded southern slopes of the San Juan Valley and on the banks of the San Juan River.

In July 2016, the San Juan Spruce lost significant height and mass due to a lightning strike.[2] It is no longer considered among the largest Sitka spruce trees but its large diameter is still remarkable.

Dimensions

These measurements were taken sometime before 2010, at least six years prior to the tree's partial collapse.

Height above base[2] 60.48 m 198.4 ft
Circumference 1.3 m (4.27 ft) above height point on ground[2] 11.65 m 38.2 ft
Diameter 1.3 m (4.27 ft) above height point on ground[2] 3.71 m 12.2 ft
Average crown spread[1] 22.9 m 75.1 ft
Estimated bole volume[2] 333 m3 11,760 cu ft

See also

References

  1. "Canada's Largest Spruce Tree - The San Juan Spruce!". Ancient Forest Alliance. 2010-10-21. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  2. "Sitka spruce 'San Juan Sitka Spruce' along the San Juan River, Port Renfrew, British Columbia, Canada". www.monumentaltrees.com. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  3. Van Pelt, Robert (2001). Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast. Global Forest Society and University of Washington Press. ISBN 0-295-98140-7.
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