The Story of ḰEḰEIȽĆ is One of Survival
By Dana Johnson
Sometimes you see something every day that you take for granted. Sometimes you see something every day that is so wonderful it fills your heart up to the brim, renewing your love for it’s just being there each time you see it. For me, it’s Arbutus trees.
Arbutus trees are a spectacle. Rich orange-red bark peeling away to reveal a smooth chartreuse on contorted branches. Waxy, deep green leaves all year long. In the spring, fragrant and abundant sprays of white bell flowers. In the fall, the branches are heavy with bright, ripe red berries. They grow tall, they grow shrubby. If you’re lucky enough to live in its range, you know any description of its magnificence pales in comparison to the real deal. Go outside and find one if you can. Touch the trunk and feel the coolness of water. Get to know this species, these individuals, our relatives. They have saved lives and will continue to save lives. But only if we respect them, understand, and ultimately care for them in turn.
Its binomial name is Arbutus menziesii, often simply known as Arbutus. On the lands of the W̱SÁNEĆ people, it is known as ḰEḰEIȽĆ (qwəqwəy-ílhch). ḰEḰEIȽĆ is integral to W̱SÁNEĆ history, to survival. ḰEḰEIȽĆ plays an important role, helping people survive the Great Flood. Out of gratitude, the W̱SÁNEĆ do not burn it.
Four Stories Of How Things Came To Be - W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council
I feel deeply grateful every day I see ḰEḰEIȽĆ. As part of the field crew with HAT, I have the pleasure of seeing them thrive in their habitat almost daily. There are a thousand things I could say about this tree relative. The medicinal qualities, relationships to fire, how difficult it is to propagate… but instead, I want to focus on something urgent. I want to echo renowned ecologist Andy Mackinnon in sounding the alarm for the health of these trees.
Vancouver Island arbutus trees fighting for survival against parasites - Comox Valley Record
ḰEḰEIȽĆ are susceptible to fungal blights. This is a sublethal impact that can lead to tree death, especially when they are in shallow soils and thinned stands, or from experiencing heat stress, drought, soil compaction, and competition from invasives species. If you have an Arbutus tree near you, in your yard or in a nearby park, take a good, long look. Is there die-back? Are there spots on the leaves? Are there cuts to the trunk? Unfortunately, for many, the knee-jerk response to a sick tree is to cut off dying branches. However, Arbutus menziesii is a protected species; they require a permit to be cut (YES, even if they are dead or dying!). These protections are in place for a reason.
Tree Protection Bylaw | District of Saanich
Recently, during field work at a publicly-accessible, ecologically sensitive property, dominantly Arbutus and fir stands, the field crew came upon a stand of ḰEḰEIȽĆ. Normally a welcome sight, instead my heart sank. They had been cut. Large pieces of the trunks were removed. Nearby was a makeshift fire pit: signs of someone looking to spend time outdoors without understanding their impact. These damaged trees are even more susceptible to blight. Of course, this isn’t the greatest threat to arbutus. That culprit is climate change, exacerbating stressors such as heat stress and drought. It’s complicated and larger than any one threat to an individual species. But there are things you can do! Get to know ḰEḰEIȽĆ, especially the ones closest to you. Is it on a shallow rocky slope? Rich, deep soils? Is it a single tree or a dense stand? Understanding a species requires an ecological and cultural scope.
In the hottest parts of the summer, the occasional water can be a lifesaver. Monitor for signs of blight and damage. Don’t cut or prune your tree without permission and understanding. Report damage to trees. If you see a ḰEḰEIȽĆ overrun by invasive plant species under the canopy, make like a field crew member and pull! You could be making space for the next generation of ḰEḰEIȽĆ, hopefully better adapted to our changing climate.
Do you love ḰEḰEIȽĆ more than ever? Help us help the trees by donating to our Grow Hope, Restore Nature initiative.