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All Canada British Columbia Port Renfrew Fairy Lake Bonsai Tree

Fairy Lake Bonsai Tree

Defying all odds, this lonely little tree found a home on a log sticking out of a Canadian lake.

Port Renfrew, British Columbia

Added By
Ariel
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Been Here
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The log provides the only stability and food for the little tree   Shawn McCready
The log provides the only stability and food for the little tree   Shawn McCready
With such challenging conditions, growth is stunted like a bonsai tree   Shawn McCready
All alone in Fairy Lake   Google maps
The log-tree is near the north side of Fairy Lake, visible from the road   Shayne Kaye
The tree and the log are both Douglas fir   Shayne Kaye
Fairy Lake Yesterday   CanadaGood / Atlas Obscura User
Taken from car window. Tree is still there. May 29, 2017.   CanadaGood / Atlas Obscura User
Fairy Lake. There are lily pads along the shore.   CanadaGood / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Seventy miles from the port city of Victoria, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, a plucky arboreal wonder can be found on the quiet waters of Fairy Lake.

Living up to its name, Fairy Lake is in a remote and unspoiled landscape near the town of Port Renfrew. Sticking up out of the lake’s stillness is a submerged log. Clinging to that log for dear life is a tiny hemlock fir tree. The log itself is a Douglas fir. As the stunted tree’s only source of support and nutrients, it feels like the dead tree made a sort of noble sacrifice to the the tiny tree growing on it. Tourists, boaters and hikers come seeking it as a unique window into nature and rebirth.

The “bonsai” tree has attracted more than a few photographers to capture its struggle of endurance, including a winner of the Natural History Museum of London’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. Award or no award, each photograph of the little guy clinging to his dead log has demonstrated its own symbolic twist on survival. You needn't even hike through the wilds to find it. You can find bonsai serenity from the road.

Related Tags

Lakes Canada Trees Plants Water

Know Before You Go

Fairly Lake is on Vancouver Island, about 5 miles east of the town of Port Renfrew. Take Parkinson Road to the turn-off for Deering Road, follow to the end and turn right onto Pacific Marine Road. Follow that all the way to the lake. The little tree will be on your right, about a quarter mile past the turn-off for Fairy Lake Recreation Site. It may be tough to spot, so keep your eyes peeled for it.

Community Contributors

Added By

Arnoldbeard

Edited By

racheldoyle, warwulff, Mitch Lang, cmckay...

  • racheldoyle
  • warwulff
  • Mitch Lang
  • cmckay
  • CanadaGood

Published

April 25, 2016

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Sources
  • http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/wpy/gallery/2012/images/botanical-realms/4567/fairy-lake-fir.html
  • http://www.portrenfrew.com/forestry.htm#fairy
  • http://www.adamgibbs.com/photo/fairy-bonsai/
  • https://www.tjwatt.com/blog/2016/11/5/bonsai-tree-at-fairy-lake-port-renfrew
  • https://www.tjwatt.com/blog/2016/11/5/bonsai-tree-at-fairy-lake-port-renfrew
Fairy Lake Bonsai Tree
Pacific Marine Road
Port Renfrew, British Columbia, V0S
Canada
48.589408, -124.349808
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Canada's Knottiest Tree

North Saanich, British Columbia

miles away

Avatar Grove

Port Renfrew, British Columbia

miles away

Big Lonely Doug

Port Renfrew, British Columbia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Port Renfrew

Port Renfrew

British Columbia

Places 3

Nearby Places

Canada's Knottiest Tree

North Saanich, British Columbia

miles away

Avatar Grove

Port Renfrew, British Columbia

miles away

Big Lonely Doug

Port Renfrew, British Columbia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Port Renfrew

Port Renfrew

British Columbia

Places 3

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A Map of the World's Most Superlative Trees

trees

By Matt Lubchansky

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