11/23/2025
Mother Birch trees in the Shuswap have history recorded on their bark. Can you see the bark harvesting mark left from an indigenous person harvesting a very long long time ago? I imagine they were making birch bark baskets. These living elder birch trees are becoming are rare to find because Birch are dying off due to insect infestations and climate change.
"Birch trees are dying in Shuswap, BC, likely due to infestation by the bronze birch borer, a native pest that carries a fungus damaging the tree's water and nutrient transport systems. Other contributing factors can include insufficient water, lack of nutrients, and natural dieback due to age or stress. Early symptoms are often seen at the top of the tree, and once the infestation is established, it can be difficult to treat. " ~ Google
Also see: https://cmiae.org/project/investigation-of-birch-decline/
