A Little "Big" Piece of Alberta History

I had the pleasure to be in Lethbridge on the weekend to prune some elm trees at the site of this years tree climbing competition. I'm pretty sure I've been to Lethbridge before at some point but I certainly don't remember it. The part of it I did see while we drove through it I liked. It has a beautiful river valley and lots of spectacular trees. It's funny how you start to notice things once you start to learn about them because prior to going to school for arboriculture I don't think I ever drove through a city and admired the trees but now I do it all the time.


Anyway, on to the main topic. While I was in Lethbridge I got to see a piece of Alberta history, one of the largest trees and oldest trees in southern Alberta. A 100 year old cottonwood poplar. This tree is huge!!!! The tree is approximately 15 feet in diameter and 90 feet tall. In the picture of the base of the tree, the orange thing you see is my hard hat which is about a foot across and the tree looks like it's ready to consume it. It's one thing to see the pictures but it's an entirely different experience to see it up close. You may not be all that interested in trees but if your ever in Lethbridge I highly recommend checking out this tree. And for all the tree huggers out there, this is one tree you won't be able to bear hug but I'm sure it would appreciate the attempt.