Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol: Round 2 — Nature

For a province so synonymous with trees, and with so many people who love all they provide, it's ironic that the two species British Columbians might love the most carry with them a hint of false advertising. 

"The Douglas Fir isn't a fir at all — it's part of the 'false hemlock' family," said CBC science specialist Darius Mahdavi, referencing the mighty conifer that can reach heights of 100 metres. 

"But western red 'cedar' is no better, because it's actually a cypress."

Despite the somewhat misleading names, the two types of trees are easily identifiable through much of British Columbia, and have advanced to the second round of the Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol.

Now, however, they face off against each other in the ultimate tree tussle to see which one will advance to the semifinals of the nature quadrant of the competition. 

Mahdavi says both trees have a lot going for each other.

"They are absolutely essential to ecosystems across B.C., providing habitat and food and maintaining the environment," contrasting the Douglas Fir's durability with the many ways red cedar have been used by First Nations along the coast. 

Ultimately though, only one can be the last tree standing. 

What will you vote for?

Four symbols move on, four go home

The Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol continues its second round Tuesday with the nature quadrant, with four different matchups that will determine which iconic and historic elements of B.C.'s land will move on to the next round.

• Douglas fir vs. Western redcedar.
• Pot leaf vs. gold nugget.
• Dogwood flower vs. mountaintop.
• Okanagan cherries vs. Vancouver Island oysters.

While it has been mostly top seeds advancing in the friendly competition so far, there are a few small but mighty symbols still in the running — including one from the Okanagan.

"Cherries are a perfect bite-size fruit, and when they are abundant and the weather co-operates, they are phenomenal," said Erin Carlson, a cherry grower at the Carcajou Fruit Company in Summerland.

It faces the Vancouver Island oyster this round, after defeating Okanagan peaches in round two. 

The cherry industry is on pace to have a good year — mostly because of better weather, but partly because of the power certain symbols gain in times of political tension. 

"Canadian Cherry Month [has begun], and the goal is to get more Canadians to buy more B.C. cherries and more Canadian," said Carlson.

"[Cherries] out of Washington you would find, especially as you head to Manitoba and beyond, because they try to undercut our market. But this year, there's a lot of optimism that supermarkets across the country are going to be able to stock us."

Voting is open until 10 p.m. Pacific time. May the best symbol win!