Located along Highway 3 in the Crowsnest Pass region of southwestern Alberta, the Burmis Tree is a limber pine estimated to be between 600 and 750 years old at the time of its death in the late 1970’s. The high wind speeds experienced in this region of the province actually toppled the tree in 1998. The tree is a significant heritage symbol to local residents, and this prompted the Alberta Government to repair and stabilize the tree using steel rods and braces.
Region:
Southwest Alberta
Field Documentation:
August 19, 2024
Field Documentation Type:
Terrestrial LiDAR
Culture:
Canadian
Historic Period:
1270CE
Latitude:
49.556037
Longitude:
-114.29907
Datum Type:
WGS84
Threat Level
The Crowsnest Past
Castle Mountain in the Crowsnest Pass. Photo from Crowsnest Pass [1].Located in the Southwestern Rocky Mountains, the Crowsnest Past has a vibrant history dating back thousands of years. It is said to have one of the longest histories in the Rockies, with evidence of human occupation of the Pass dating back 11,000 years before present [1]. The Indigenous history of this area is rich and complex and is the traditional territory to the K’tunaxa (Kutenai) and Piikani (Peigan) tribes, who are still represented in the area [1].
The European settlement in the Crowsnest continued its rich history, attracting settlers with its plentiful coal deposits. The early 1900s saw the founding of five small coal mining communities that make up the Pass: Coleman, Bellevue, Hillcrest, Frank and Blairmore [1, 2]. The mining boom brought many residents to this area to populate these towns. Unfortunately, they would also suffer some of Canada’s largest mining-related accidents such as the Hillcrest mine disaster and the Frank rockslide [2,3]. After the initial boom of the mining industry, residents with ties to the area remained as ranchers and settlers to build these communities into what they are today, resilient with a local passion for the area [2].
While the region grew out of an economic boom, the geography of the pass also contributes to its rich history. With its majestic high-altitude plateaus, Chinook-warmed valleys, and beautiful mountain views the Crowsnest is now a tourist-destination for those seeking world class historic sites or picturesque landscapes [2].
The Burmis Tree
“[Standing] like a sentinel at the west portal of the Crowsnest Pass, atop a low stony ridge,” the Burmis Tree is both a heritage site and a beautiful part of the Crowsnest landscape [4].
This photo of the Burmis Tree is featured on a community website. Photo from Crowsnest Senior Housing
This tree was a limber pine estimated to be between 600 and 750 years old before it died in the late 1970s [5, 6]. On the ground beside the tree lies the stump of a secondl lumber pine estimated to be a similar age. Limber pines are among the longest living tree native to Alberta. Located is at the base of the Rocky Mountains and adjacent to the largest traffic corridor through the Pass, the Burmis Tree is an easily accessible example of its species [7]. Coupled with its beautifully twisted branches shaped by the strong Southern Alberta winds, the tree is an inspiration to artists and history lovers alike. It has truly become an icon of the Crowsnest.
Despite being toppled by wind in 1998 and later vandalized in 2004, the local community has worked to keep the tree upright. It is supported by metal stilts and braces, some of its branches have even been glued into place [5]. While it is not a registered historic resource, locals take immense pride in the tree, and it attracts many tourists as one of Alberta’s most photographed heritage sites [6].
The Burmis Tree has also been recreated in a variety contemporary art. It has been painted countless times, and even featured in the sculpture “Creators, Educators, and Innovators” in the Trades, Technologies, and Innovation facility at Lethbridge College [6]. In 2017, The Alberta Historic Resources Foundation (1980s-2010s) changed their logo to one featuring a silhouette of the Burmis Tree saying in part that “given its deep history and the public’s interest in both preserving and appreciating the tree, it seems an excellent icon for the foundation” [6].
The Burmis Tree during digital documentation. Photo from Capture2Preserv project.
Capturing the Burmis Tree
The last time the Burmis Tree was known to have green needles was in 1978 [7]. Since its death, the Burmis Tree has been at risk of potential loss due to wildfires, high winds, and vandalism. It has already been toppled multiple times and intentionally damaged, – prompting its diligent repair by dedicated locals. Situated on Government of Alberta land, Alberta Government officials consulted with the digital heritage research group at the University of Calgary to digitally capture the tree, ensuring we have a complete record of it should it be unexpectedly damaged or lost [6].
There are currently no plans for the management of the physical tree, as community partners will need to be consulted on any future plans [6].
[6] Personal communications, Robinson, Christina. 2024. Historic Resources Management Branch, Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women, Government of Alberta.
[7] Alberta Forestry Association. 1984. Alberta Trees of Renown: An Honour Roll of Alberta Trees. First edition, Alberta Forestry Association, Jasper.
This gallery contains modern and historic images related to the Burmis Tree. Photos are given individual photo credit. Please submit a comment if you have a memory or photo related to the Burmis Tree that you’d like to share!
The Historic Resources Management Branch of the Culture and Status of Women ministry approached the Capgture2Preserv project to digitally document the Burmis Tree. The tree was recorded with the Z+F 5010X scanner. There were ten scanning locations that encompassed the tree. Stationary laser scanning was made more difficult as the tree is situation upon rocks and steep slopes, and because the natural geometry of the branches is complicated to capture from all angles. We also captured the tree using the GeoSLAM Zeb Horizon, a mobile laser scanner. The tree was scanned within one 20 minute scan cycle with this scanner.
The Z+F scans were registered using Z+F Laser Control software and all data was exported into AutoDesk ReCap for further processing. The point cloud on this page shows the data from just the Z+F scans.
Scan Locations
Burmis Tree
Grab the Slider With Your Mouse and Move it Left and Right to Compare the Real Burmis Tree to Its Virtual Replica.
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