Glenn Ahrens OSU Extension Forester,
Clackamas, Marion & Hood River Co.
Managing Trees and Woodlands on Your Small Farm
Extension Forestry & Natural Resources
Educational Assistance - Finding answers and solving problems by learning together.• Help you learn what you need to know - to decide what is
right for you• Take action – DIY or hired services.• Depending on your situation and your objectives.
Your woodlands -Your goals - Your plans.
Updated Plans
Learning about
Forestry
Adjustments for reality
New Ideas Learning about your
land and your capability
Small Woodlands - Family Owned Forests Are Important in Oregon
• The most common forest ownership where people live – near towns and cities.
• Tax laws and forest practices rules are meant to encourage forest land-use.
• Small woodlands provide economic, environmental, and social benefits.
• Helping landowners succeed in their forest stewardship endeavors is a high priority.
Woodland Topics• Your goals, objectives, and plans.• Assessing what you have – soil, water ,
vegetation, wildlife, and infrastructure.• Your management capacity, finances, income,
business and taxes. • Trees and Forests – biology, principles. • Forest and Tree Health
Woodland Topics (continued)
• Forest Management – planting, weeding, thinning - Silviculture.
• Fire hazards and fuels reduction.• Harvesting, marketing, operations.• Wildlife and Habitat.• Regulations and Responsibilities.• Resources and assistance.
Get to know your tree species and where they grow!
https://www.oregonforests.org/publicationshttps://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/
W. Oregon Conifers – “Softwoods”Douglas-fir 61.4%Western hemlock 11.4%Sitka spruce 2.7%Grand fir 2.4%Western redcedar 1.7%Incense cedar 0.8%White fir 0.6%Ponderosa pine 0.5%Noble fir 0.4%Port-Orford-cedar 0.2%Sugar pine 0.1%Lodgepole pine 0.1%
Redwood <0.1%Jeffrey pine <0.1%Western white pine <0.1%Knobcone pine <0.1%
W. Oregon Broadleaf Trees – “Hardwoods”Red alder 8.3%Bigleaf maple 3.4%Pacific madrone 1.8%Oregon white oak 1.7%California black oak 0.7%Tanoak 0.5%Golden chinkapin 0.5%California-laurel 0.2%Oregon ash 0.2%Black cottonwood 0.2%Willow 0.1%Cherry 0.1%Canyon live oak 0.1%
White alder <0.1%
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)“false hemlock” – not a true fir
• Oregon’s State Tree and our most common tree; it plays a major role in our forest ecosystems.
• Abundant in western North America from sea level along the coast 11,000 ft. (3400 m) in the southern Rockies.
• Big Tree – Diameter 11 feet, Height 330 feet.
NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/maps/
We try to grow species that are adapted to local climateBut climate change may cause things to shift…
The Extremes: Precipitation Wind Temperature Ice & Snow
Potential impacts on tree & plant: Growth, stress, damage, insects & disease
Flooding Erosion Landslides
Summer Rain July-September
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Estacada
Salem
Hood River
The most fundamental & importantwoodland resource...
Grows & supports trees & other plants Accepts, cleanses, stores & releases water Foundation for roads, buildings, ponds, etc.
The Soil
What kind of trees/forest can I grow here?
Site-specific conditions of climate, soil, vegetation, animals + management capability & intensity
What’s killing my
trees?• A Complex
interaction of biotic and abiotic factors……
Drought * stem canker fungus
Managing for healthy trees and forests
• Assess soil and site conditions and hazards• Choose species that are well-adapted and
resilient• Maintain individual tree vigor• Monitor tree and forest health.• Remove/Sanitize unhealthy trees• Avoid attracting or introducing pests.
Tree Planting OverviewBasic Steps to Successful Establishment
– Plan ahead– Match seedling to site– Order seedlings early– Prepare the site – Handle and plant seedlings properly– Monitor animal damage and
competing vegetation
Choosing The Right Species
• Each tree species has its own set of adaptations and/or tolerances to environmental stress, insects and diseases.
Proper Planting TechniqueImproper planting is a common cause of problems
CompactedRoots
NotVertical
TooLoose
PoorPlanting
Soil
ProperlyPlanted
Tree
Too deep
Too shallow
Air pockets
“L” rooted
“J” rooted
Weeds and Vegetation Management
• Understanding and controlling Weeds.• Manipulating vegetation to favor
desired species. • Cost-effective combination of actions to
enable your trees to thrive and dominate in the longer term.
1 Time 20-30 years
Integrated Pest Management – IPM
To Plan and Implement:• The right treatment at the right level at the right
time.To Avoid:
•blanket” or “calendar” prescriptions, •unnecessary or excessive use of chemicals, •pollution or other environmental damage, •poor crop performance
Be aware of these critters
• Deer and elk• Porcupine• Gophers• Mountain beaver• Voles & rabbits• Livestock• Other?
Pruning• Improve aesthetics, access, and
timber quality• Raise the base of tree crowns
• Reduce chance of fire climbing into the canopy
• Often combined with other fuel treatments.
Competition for Growing Spaceand Site Resources
• One large tree may use the same amount as many smaller trees.
Competition for Growing Spaceand Site Resources
• One large tree may use the same amount as many smaller trees.
• As neighboring trees grow in size, they compete for limited resources.
Fire Hazard and Fuel Reduction Options
• Pruning• Thinning• MowingManaging debris:• Cut/scatter• Piling/burning• Chipping
Managing debris
• Can scatter on site if not too deep• Cut & scatter method suitable for our region –
decomposes quickly if in contact with ground• Do not leave in defensible space area
Piling & burning• Consult ODF before
piling & burning • Obtain burn permit
from ODF• Burn piles after fall
rain begins
Burn Permits
Permits required for:• All burning of
logging slash piles (year-round)
• Any burning during fire season closure (summer)
Photo by: Fred Hall
ChippingAdvantages of chips:• Small pieces• On the ground• Will decompose faster
than large branches• Can be collected & used
for other purposes• NOT suitable for
defensible space
Bring ODF out for a look!
Create a fire plan including:• Special resources to protect• Gates• Road locations & conditions• Water sources & access• Locations of fuel breaks
Enhancing Wildlife Habitat
• What species are you interested in?
• What mix of habitats do they need?
• What habitat does your property already provide?
• Can you provide the “missing” habitat?
• Scale is important.• Variety is good.• Dead wood is good.
Regulations• Regulations governing
your land may come from the city, county, or state.
• These may involve trees, water, or wildlife
• Take time to learn what regulations govern your land.
Regulations & Responsibilities• Land-use laws• Property tax classification• Forest Practices Act• Fire Laws• Control of Invasive weeds• Stream & water protection• Fuel Reduction around home (SB 360)• Dumping of toxic materials• Smoke management rules
Order yours – delivered to your door – FREEhttps://www.oregonforests.org/publications
Educational Assistance• OSU Extension Service
– Extension Forester, Master Woodland Managers, Master Gardeners, Small Farms Program
• Oregon Small Woodlands Association• American Tree Farm Program• Western Forestry and Conservation Assn.• Oregon Forest Resources Institute• Community Colleges
Technical Assistance
• Consultants and contractors– foresters, loggers, arborists, engineers, biologists, lawyers,
CPAs.• Public Assistance
– OSU Master Woodland Managers– Oregon Dept. of Forestry Stewardship Foresters– Natural Resource Conservation Service– Soil and Water Conservation District– Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Sources of Financial Assistance
• Profits from managing your forest• Grant programs - conservation and restoration• Cost-Share Programs• Loans• Forest Resource Trust• Tax Credits
How do you like to learn?
• Workshops, Classes, Field tours • Reading Material - Extension Publications,
Newsletters, Technical Articles• Internet Resources - Reading materials, Online
Classes• One-on-one visits with an advisor - in the
Office or in your forest
You are part of a “Woodland Owner Community”
• Diverse people – diverse forests • Common appreciation for trees and forests• Lifetimes of experience – much to share• Many ways for us to learn from each other• Continuous learning
Glenn R. AhrensExtension Forester, Clackamas, Marion, Hood River Co.Oregon State University Extension Service200 Warner-Milne Rd.Oregon City, OR 97045
phone [email protected]
OSU Extension Forestry and Natural Resources http://extensionweb.forestry.oregonstate.edu/
Master Woodland Managers• MWM’s are typically family
forest land owners, trained in woodland management from A-Z – Provide an in-kind service
through volunteer activities.– Visit your property. – Demonstrate simple forestry
practices. – Suggest & help locate sources
of assistance.– Host Tours & Workshops.
Women Owning Woodlands
• WOWnet was formed by a group of women woodland managers and professionals to support and increase women’s access to forestry-related resources.
•
– recognize the growing number of women taking a wide array of active woodland management roles.
– raise basic forestry and decision-making skill levels among women woodland managers through hands-on educational opportunities.
– to encourage communication among Oregon’s women woodland managers through the development of statewide and local networks.
Women Owning Woodlands Networkhttp://extensionweb.forestry.oregonstate.edu/WOWNet
• WOWnet was formed by a group of women woodland managers and professionals to support and increase women’s access to forestry-related resources.
• For more information contact Tiffany Fegel:[email protected]
Marion Co. SWCD338 Hawthorne Ave NESalem, OR [email protected]://www.marionswcd.net/
ODF Santiam Unit22965 N Fork Rd SELyons, OR 97358(503) 859-2151fax: (503) 859-2158
• Landowner assistance• Fire protection• Forest Practices Regulation
http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Pages/index.aspxhttp://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Working/Pages/FindAForester.aspx
• Private, non-profit, statewide organization– 22 county chapters and ~ 2,000 members.
• Conducts educational programs and tours for small woodland owners.
• Publishes newsletters and a magazine.• Actively lobbies for member interests.• Supported by member dues.
Marion-Polk Chapter Mark Havel 503-876-4488
http://www.oswa.org/
Oregon Small Woodlands Association
Oregon Tree Farm Program
• Private, non-profit, nationwide network of more than 50,000 small & large landowners.
• Sponsored by the American Forest Foundation.• Promotes management of private forests.• Members receive signs, free inspections, a
magazine and can participate in contests.
Private Consultants• Provide expertise and high quality work to
protect your woodland.– Fee basis may be: hourly, % of a sale, or by the job.
• Can save you time.• As fiduciary or advocate - Serve as a third party for
legal transactions, estates, court cases, appraisals.
• Oregon Forest Industry Directory - Search under “Services” http://www.orforestdirectory.com/
Assistance Options – State & Local
• County Soil and Water Conservation District• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
– information on damage control and habitat creation.
• Oregon Department of Revenue– timber, harvest and property tax information.
• Oregon Forest Resource Institute– publications, tours, workshops
Assistance Options - Federal
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)• Farm Services Agency (FSA) • US Forest Service
Locating Markets and Supplies
• Oregon Forest Industry Directory http://www.orforestdirectory.com/
• Neighbors• Consulting foresters• Check multiple sources!