Climate varies slightly depending on one's position on the mountain. This mainly depends on when the sun's rays reach an area. Therefore, the direction of slope is the most important factor. For example, the north escarpment is usually moist because it does not receive direct sunlight. The larger trees also create microclimates within the forest.
Forest canopies allow for less fluctuation in temperature and provide some protection from frost.
They obstruct sunlight during the day and have an insulating effect at night. Winds have been known to blow down trees on the mountain. Burnaby Mountain is blanketed with a second-growth forest that hosts a number of species. Ferns are a common sight in the woods. Their life cycles include both gametophyte and sporophyte stages.