The western redcedar holds immense significance for the Coast Salish peoples of the Pacific Northwest. To harvest its bark without harming the tree, gatherers traditionally peel only a single narrow strip from a living trunk, allowing the tree to continue growing. Once harvested, this versatile material is split, dried, and woven into essential items such as hats, baskets, and clothing. Because the bark naturally repels water, garments crafted from it provide excellent protection against the region's wet climate.
Based on the text, what is true about the harvesting of western redcedar bark?
- AGatherers dry the bark completely before splitting it into strips.
- BGatherers only harvest the bark during the region's dry season.
- Gatherers remove bark from only a portion of a living tree to avoid killing it.Answer
- DGatherers must cut down the tree before peeling its bark.
Answer
Gatherers remove bark from only a portion of a living tree to avoid killing it.
The correct answer is supported by the text's explanation of the harvesting process: gatherers harvest the bark 'without harming the tree' by peeling 'only a single narrow strip from a living trunk.' This shows they take bark from only a portion of a living tree to prevent damage.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying explicit details in a passage without making unsupported inferences.