As we thin the forest, the benefactors include the surrounding trees, such as the Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii) before you. Characterized by their shedding bark and smooth sinuous trunks, Arbutus are the only native broadleaf evergreen tree to grow in our area. Arbutus produce berries that resemble grape-like bunches of tiny, rosy, red oranges. These fruits are devoured by many species of birds who, in turn, sow their seeds over great distances. Arbutus grows easily in disturbed soils but thrives on the warm, south-facing slopes of this hemisphere. If the domineering plantation fir trees were left unthinned, they would surely shade out the Arbutus. We are keen to watch how the Arbutus before you responds to the recent increase in space and light that we created. We may consider thinning around it again in the future as the gaps inevitably shrink. [Below are a "before shot" on the left and an "after shot" on the right.]