Like a seedling, Cochrane grew from a tiny hamlet to a bustling town. From a population of just 158 in 1906, more than 35,000 people now call Cochrane home. In fact, Cochrane was the fastest-growing town in the province, adding 7,858 residents between 2016 and 2022.
At the heart of Cochrane is the Cochrane Ranche, a large community park (in a gorgeous natural setting) that’s full of Western culture, Indigenous history, and numerous recreational opportunities, including family-friendly mountain biking trails.
But what if we told you the Cochrane Ranche was also home to an even older piece of history? The Grandfather Tree. It’s a white spruce over 300 years old and known for its distinct above-ground roots.
White spruce is an interesting species. It’s the northernmost tree species in North America, growing all the way into the Mackenzie River Delta near the shores of the Arctic Ocean.
White spruce can grow up to 40 metres tall and live between 250 and 350 years. However, white spruces of up to 1,000 years old have been documented.
First Nations used their wood for just about everything. They used white spruce wood to build canoes and paddles. They bent saplings into snowshoe frames and bows. White spruce was also a food source for the First Nations.
Resin from white spruce was used as a chewing gum. The young male catkins, a hanging cluster of flowers, were cooked or eaten raw. Immature female catkins were also cooked to reveal a sweet and syrupy centre. White spruce bark was dried and ground into a powder to be used as a thickener in soups. It could also be used when making bread.
It’s still used in the food industry. Spruce oil is used to flavour chewing gum, sweets, and soft drinks.
So, the Grandfather Tree has both historical and modern significance.
Thrives as One Among Many
According to Kurt Stenberg, an arborist with Cochrane Tree Care, The Grandfather Tree works with other trees in the area to survive and thrive.
“I like to think of trees as the fruits of the ecosystem in the ground, so a healthy ecosystem in the ground works symbiotically with trees, and the end result is a healthy tree,” Stenberg told the Cochrane Times.
The trees surrounding The Grandfather Tree provide shade, which keeps the soil around the historic tree moist. Meanwhile, the trees giving shade are pulling water from the nearby Bighill Creek.
The World Below
While The Grandfather Tree is known for its distinctive above-ground roots, Stenberg claims there are likely tons more roots underground. According to him, the entire forest is connected underground through fungi.
Fungi include microorganisms like yeasts, moulds, mildews, and mushrooms. These fun guys connect to the roots of a tree, forming a relationship between the two.
Fungi help the tree retrieve nutrients from rock, sand, silt, clay and water. When the tree photosynthesizes, the process by which plants use sunlight to make energy, carbohydrates are made.
The fungi feast on these carbohydrates. This win-win relationship helps trees, including The Grandfather Tree, stay healthy and grow.
A film called Fantastic Fungi explores the fascinating network of life-giving underground nutrient highways. Before you visit the Grandfather Tree, this film is highly recommended to fully understand the hidden life below the roots.
Student Projects Succeeds
Like Cochrane, The Grandfather Tree started as a tiny seed. But over time, both grew into something incredible. To acknowledge this symbolism, the Cochrane Town Council declared it the official tree of Cochrane in May 2022.
But that didn’t just happen. A Grade 6 class from RancheView School took the initiative and made it happen. In March 2022, the students gave a passionate presentation to the Council pleading for an Arbor Day, also known as Tree Day.
“We are the future. We can be leaders in the fight to save our world. We want to be part of creating a healthier world. Please hear us!” the students expressed in their presentation.
Arbor Day is a day of observance in which people are encouraged to plant trees. In May 2022, the council declared the first Saturday of June Arbor Day, beginning June 4, 2022.
Over 200 volunteers participated in this year’s event and planted 2,200 trees in just two days. Volunteers included students from RancheView School and volunteers from Garmin and Chevron.
About 300 of the seedlings planted were white spruces provided by Spray Lake Sawmills. According to Cochrane Environmental Action Committee President Tim Giese, the town had hoped to plant 2,500 trees.
The remaining 300 seedlings will be used in habitat restoration efforts in south Calgary.
Finally, not only has the Grandfather Tree made its mark in the Ranchehouse forest, but it has also become a social media star, with many people headed over to the tree to get a selfie with the giant white spruce.
The tree is popular for weddings and portrait sessions and has also been a feature subject for landscape photographers. Let’s hope for another 300 years of inspiration!
