Al Carder, born in 1910, remembers the magnificent Douglas-fir forests of coastal British Columbia while some still remained. He was a researcher on the growth of plants, especially crop plants, and their response to climate. His investigations were done in the northern territories of Canada. In 1967 he was awarded the Canadian Centennial Medal for his contribution to Agriculture in Canada. He retired in 1970 and in 1977 launched an investigation on the past and present giant trees of the world.