November 18, 2002: Well, the Upper Walbran Big Tree Derby is over, and three derby participants have claimed four prizes totalling $1,150.00 for the largest trees of selected species. No Yellow Cedar entries were submitted. All trees were found on endangered land in the Upper Walbran, threatened by TimberWest and Weyerhaeuser. Provincial ranking is based on the BC Government's "BC Tree Registry."

The Winners:

Douglas Fir Diametre 2.8 metres, fourth largest in BC. Finder: Santiago Alvarez. Weyerhaeuser's tenure.	Western Yew Diametre 0.86 metres, fourth largest in BC. Finders: Steve Pitner & Don Keller. TimberWest's tenure.	Western Hemlock Diametre 1.6 metres, 5th largest in BC. Finders: Steve Pitner & Don Keller. TimberWest's tenure.
Western White Pine Diametre 1.03 metres, sixth largest in BC. Finder: Santiago Alvarez. TimberWest's tenure.

Other Big Walbran Valley Trees:

Castle Giant (Red Cedar) - five metres in diametre. In unprotected Lower Castle Grove in TimberWest's tenure.

Big Lonely Doug (Douglas Fir) - slated for logging by TimberWest in the Upper Castle Grove.

Maxine's Tree (Sitka Spruce) - protected in Walbran Provincial Park.