Salt Spring Springboard Stump

This massive Cedar stump (about 10 feet high) is evidence of the early days of logging on Salt Spring Island. In order to reduce the amount of cutting (by hand) and make possible the cutting of a tree on a steep slope, the loggers cut notches to accommodate ‘springboards’. They would then stand on the springboards and cut the tree above the much wider butt. This would not only reduce the amount of work but would make transporting the log possible. Or so I’ve read…

For me it was a beautiful moment with exquisite light and colours—and a glimpse into the past.