The perfect tree was the most important aspect of the canoe carvers' craft. A spiritual quest was often undertaken by canoe carvers, involving purification and visions, to guide them in selecting the best trees in the forest. The best trees for carving a canoe were huge cedars, with a base diameter of at least 1.8 metres; the tree needed to have natural characteristics which allowed the carver to make the most out of the wood in the process of canoe construction. A favourable tree had a straight grain, limited low branches, and was located a reasonably short distance to water.

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