Culturally modified tree

A culturally modified tree in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington, USA

In western Canada and the United States, a culturally modified tree (CMT) is one which has been modified by indigenous people as part of their tradition. Such trees are important sources for the history of certain regions.

In British Columbia, one of the most commonly modified trees, particularly on the coast, is the Western Red Cedar. The Sami people of northern Scandinavia and indigenous people of southeast Australia modify trees. Basque herders left thousands of trees in the western United States between 1860 and 1930.