I live fairly close to the “Comfort Maple,” widely believed to be the oldest sugar maple tree in Canada, at 400-500 years old. A bike ride to see the tree, combined with my granddaughter’s tales of her fun at a summer day camp, seeded the idea for this story.
But of course, the mystery is far more sinister than it sounds. Or is it? 😎
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My research into old growth forests on Orcas Island was particularly fascinating. And as it turns out, Orcas Island is home to some of the few remaining in the state.