The Twin Trunked Fir

About this verified tree

This Douglas-fir grows directly along the shoreline of Beauvert Lake near Jasper Park Lodge. Two trunks emerge from the base and grow upward separately before merging into a single, continuous trunk several metres above the ground. From that point, the fused trunk extends outward and leans horizontally over the lake. The roots are exposed in places and wrap around shoreline rocks, indicating long-term soil loss and fluctuating water levels. The tree sits in an open lakeside position with clear exposure to wind, snow loading, and seasonal ice movement. Despite this, it has maintained structural stability and continues to grow outward rather than upright. The surrounding stand was affected by the Jasper wildfire, but this individual remained standing and alive. Its form reflects a combination of mechanical stress, competition early in life, and decades of slow adjustment to its lakeside environment. Due to its unusual structure, visibility, and survival through recent disturbance, this tree has become a recognizable natural landmark along Beauvert Lake.

Species

Rocky Mountain Douglas-Fir

Scientific name

Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca

Area

Alberta