There’s a certain comfort to walking through Tofino in December and realizing the forest hasn’t changed its outfit at all. While most of Canada sheds its leaves and settles into winter, our coastline stays deep green, bright mossy, and alive, even when it’s raining sideways and your jacket is losing the battle.
As we enter the holiday season, we thought there’s no better time to write about these wonderful deep green giants that surround our coastline.
If you’ve ever wondered how these trees stay so steady through the wildest months of the year, the answer is a blend of resilience, science, and some truly fascinating coastal quirks.
They’re built for this coast, literally
The most common evergreen species you’ll see around Tofino are Sitka spruce, western red cedar, western hemlock, Douglas fir, and shore pine, and they are masters of survival in wet, windy climates.
Their needles are coated in a thick waxy layer called a cuticle, which works a lot like a Gore-Tex jacket: It keeps the moisture inside the tree while allowing it to breathe, even when it’s storming nonstop.
Why does this matter? Because Tofino doesn’t get a little rain, we get up to 3.5 meters (yes, meters) of rainfall per year. In winter, it can rain for days without stopping. A regular broadleaf tree would shrivel like a soggy paper bag. But evergreens? They’re built for it.
Evergreens actually “breathe” more in winter than you’d think
Even when the days are short and dim, these trees don’t turn off. They just move into low-power mode.
Cold, wet weather helps them keep their needles hydrated, which means they can continue photosynthesizing, even on classic Tofino grey days. Researchers studying Pacific temperate rainforests have found that evergreens can keep absorbing CO₂ in winter because they’re not losing moisture to heat or drought.
Winter slows the trees down, but it doesn’t stop them. The rain keeps them energized.
Shallow roots that protect the shoreline
If you’ve ever walked a muddy trail in December and wondered how on earth those huge trees stay standing, here’s the secret: rainforest evergreens have wide, shallow root systems that grip onto our thin coastal soils.
It’s less like an anchor and more like a giant hand pressed flat into the earth. That structure helps hold soil in place during heavy rain, prevent landslides during storm surges, and stabilize riverbanks and coastal edges. They’re true heroes.
This is especially important during winter, when our strongest winds of the year roll through, sometimes topping 90 km/h during major storm events.
Needles create the soft forest floor that keeps the ecosystem alive
Evergreen needles don’t break down quickly once they hit the forest floor. Instead, they create a thick, spongy layer called the duff, which acts like a natural shield that slows down water flow, prevents erosion, insulates small animals and insects, and holds moisture for months.
It’s basically the forest’s version of memory foam: supportive, cushy, and great at absorbing impact.
Sitka spruce: the coastal superhero
If there’s one tree that defines winter on the west coast, it’s the Sitka spruce.
A few quick Sitka facts:
- They can live 600-800 years.
- They can grow up to 40 metres tall in their first 200 years.
- Their bark and needles are engineered to withstand salty ocean spray which is a rare trait among trees.
They are literally built for storm season, which is why you often see them growing right at the edge of windswept beaches.
Evergreens keep Tofino feeling like the holidays
Even on the darkest December days, evergreen forests reflect what winter along the coast really is: alive, breathing, and brighter than people expect.
The reason holiday decorations still feel so right out here, the greens, the garlands, the winter wreaths, is because they match what we see around us.
So next time you’re walking a rain-soaked trail or heading out to watch a storm roll in, take a second to appreciate the quiet resilience in the trees around you. They’re doing far more than standing still. They’re helping hold this coastline together.
Your Tofino basecamp
When you’re spending your days walking in nature, it’s nice to return somewhere warm, welcoming, and just steps from the water. Fittingly, our two hotel building names are Hemlock and Sitka… 🌲
And don’t forget, guests who stay + play at Tofino Resort + Marina will be contributing:
- 1% to Tribal Park Allies supports the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in the restoration and guardianship of their lands.
- 1% Eco Fee supports the protection, conservation and sustainability of natural ecosystems in Clayoquot Sound.