Culturally Modified Trees

Culturally Modified Trees




From WestWind Hardwoods


Definition of CMT:
A CMT is a tree that has been altered by native people as part of their traditional use of the forest. Non-native people also have altered trees, and it is sometimes difficult to determine if an alteration (modification) is of native or non-native origin. There are no reasons why the term "CMT" could not be applied to a tree altered by non-native people. However, the term is commonly used to refer to trees modified by native people in the course of traditional tree utilization. There are many kinds of CMTs in British Columbia. Examples include trees with bark removed, stumps and felled logs, trees tested for soundness, trees chopped for pitch, trees with scars from plank removal, and trees delimbed for wood. Some kinds are common; others infrequent.

People encountering CMTs are encouraged to make a record of their findings. However, care should be taken to not damage, move, or in any other way impact a CMT or CMT site which may be protected under provisions of the Heritage Conservation Act without the appropriate permit.

Coastal British Columbia consists of the Coast Mountains and the land and islands to the west. Tree use was a part of virtually every aspect of traditional aboriginal life on the Coast. More than a dozen species of trees were used, the most important of
these being the western red cedar. The importance of trees and tree products in the traditional cultures of the Coast is well known and documented in a number of widely available sources.