Can relocation of Canada’s Port McNeill’s Burl enhance tourism?

Thursday, February 8, 2024

In an endeavour aimed at revitalising its appeal to tourists, the town of Port McNeill is embarking on an ambitious venture to relocate its renowned world-record tree burl. This impressive natural phenomenon, which suffered partial damage in a fire last May, has historically been a major attraction for tourists visiting the town.

The purpose of this relocation is to make the burl a prominent feature at the entrance to downtown Port McNeill, thereby increasing its visibility and accessibility to visitors and marking the beginning of a new era in the town’s extensive heritage.

Supported by a grant from the Island Coastal Trust, this project is being led by the local government and a group of dedicated volunteers. They are eager to complete the move before the start of the summer tourism season, which is typically the peak period for visitors.

Lorraine Landry, who has been a resident of Port McNeill for thirty years and is participating as a volunteer, mentioned that the town is well-known for its salmon and the iconic burl. She highlighted the allure the burl has for tourists and voiced her excitement about its relocation to a more conspicuous spot. According to Landry, the initiative is not only about preserving an element of the town’s history but also about injecting new vitality into it and, by extension, invigorating the community.

The burl’s history began in 2005, when it was discovered by loggers working for Western Forest Products. It was located on a 525-year-old Sitka spruce near Holberg and was then transported over 70 kilometers to what was its location before the move, on the Port McNeill waterfront. Measuring six meters in diameter and weighing an estimated 30 tonnes, the burl is a symbol of the area’s natural heritage and its strong connection to the forestry industry, a status affirmed by its recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records.

A fire in May of the previous year significantly endangered this valued landmark. Nevertheless, the prompt intervention by employees of Western Forest Products and the local volunteer firefighters prevented the burl from being completely destroyed. This response highlighted the strong sense of connection and pride the community feels towards the burl as an emblem of their shared identity and history.

The Island Coastal Trust has commended the burl as a crucial component of Port McNeill’s cultural and economic landscape, underlining its significance in linking the town to its forestry roots. The Trust’s recent announcement pointed out the isolation of the burl’s former site and noted that the new location would allow for better integration of the burl into the community’s daily life.

The project to relocate the burl represents more than just a logistical challenge; it is a strategic effort to boost Port McNeill’s attractiveness as a tourist destination. By making the burl more accessible and visible, the town is hopeful for a notable increase in tourism. This, in turn, is expected to celebrate the town’s historical and natural resources while also promoting local economic development. The saga of the burl, from its discovery and narrow escape from destruction by fire to its role in driving tourism, reflects the resilience and community spirit of Port McNeill.

[Image Source: TripAdvisor]

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