GAHR FARM FOREST PLAN
November 1999
Prepared by: Scott Ferguson ITS Management, Inc.
621 SW Morrison, Suite 441
Portland, Or. 97205
Tele: 503-222-9771
1. Over View & Background
The purpose of this Stewardship Plan is to provide the landowners, Ted and Harriet Gahr, with a tool to help them better understand their forest, provide analysis of current conditions and future options, and help them achieve their goals, through recommendations for an adaptive, flexible forest management program. This plan should be viewed as a guiding document that points the way towards long-term, sustainable forest management.
The plan will seek to (1) define owner objectives, (2) evaluate the current forest condition, (3) describe a forest policy and operational standards that will help guide future management decisions and (4) outline activities to achieve those goals. Under the direction of ITS Management, Inc. harvests specified in this plan meet the standards for SmartWood Certification.
The purpose of this Stewardship Plan is to provide the landowners, Ted and Harriet Gahr, with a tool to help them better understand their forest, provide analysis of current conditions and future options, and help them achieve their goals, through recommendations for an adaptive, flexible forest management program. This plan should be viewed as a guiding document that points the way towards long-term, sustainable forest management.
The plan will seek to (1) define owner objectives, (2) evaluate the current forest condition, (3) describe a forest policy and operational standards that will help guide future management decisions and (4) outline activities to achieve those goals. Under the direction of ITS Management, Inc. harvests specified in this plan meet the standards for SmartWood Certification.
Gahr Forest
Base Map
Section 4, Township 5 South, Range 5 West,
Scale: 1inch = 1,000 feet
Type 1 Douglas-fir 35 acres
Type 2 Oak/Douglas-fir understory 34 acres
Type 3 Mixed Douglas-fir/maple/oak
with watershed reserve 14 acres
Type 4 Emerging Douglas-fir 7 acres
Type 5 Oak reserve 5 acres
Total Forest Acres: 95 acres
Type 6 Future mixed plantation ....... Fields, Wetlands, Residence 80 acres
Total Property Acres: 349
BACKGROUND
The 98 acre Gahr Forest is part of a 349 acre farm owned by Ted and Harriet Gahr of 18605 SW Masonville Rd., McMinnville, Oregon. The Gahrs live on the farm and also operate a bed and breakfast in a second house below the woodland. Located about six miles southwest of McMinnville, at the intersection of Masonville and Muddy Valley Roads, the property was purchased in 1967 as a forest/farm investment. Most of the 349 acres is flat bottomland in the flood plain of Muddy Creek, with associated wetlands and actively farmed fieldland. The 95 forested acres are found to the west, on the moderate to steep slopes above the farmland.
The forest is a quite varied mixture of young Douglas-fir and Oregon white oak, which is rapidly transitioning to Douglas-fir in some stands . Other stands are dominated by centuries old oak, or large, spreading bigleaf maple.
The Gahrs have raised a family on the property and tended the forest with care over the years. They are very knowledgeable about the forest and wish to continue to manage it in a planned, sustainable manner. The family and their bed and breakfast guests are regular recreational users of the woodland.
MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES*
1. Manage the timber resource efficiently and produce periodic income for the Gahr Family.
2. Through careful management, planning and record keeping, establish a sustainable forest.
3. Enhance the forest’s non-commodity resource values, for possible
future sale to conservation buyer.
4. Encourage mixed species stands and continuous forest cover to protect soils, native vegetation, and scenic views.
* See Monitoring, page ______ for more specific, measurable goals
2. Forest Management History____Back to Top
Most of the foothill sites in this area of the Willamette Valley were at one time small farms and/or ranches; prior to this they were maintained as grassland and oak savanna by periodic burning practices of pre-settlement Indians. Further west, much of the coast range has been perpetually forested. Few trees in the area exceed 120 years old (with the exception of the fire resistant oak). Nearly all of the region has been harvested and managed for timber since the 1940s or before.
A few of the larger oaks on the property date back to the middle of the 18th century. As fire and then grazing of the land was abandoned, it naturally re-seeded to fir. Just prior to the Gahr’s purchase of the property in 1967, the previous owner planted Douglas-fir in forest openings, further speeding the transition to fir. Some of the larger oaks have died in the last 20 years as they have become overtopped by Douglas-fir. The first harvest during the Gahr’s tenure was in 1982, when a neighboring logger selectively cut some of the larger Douglas-fir, leaving a mixed forest of oak, maple and emerging Douglas-fir regeneration. The Gahrs had not considered the forest a commercial venture prior to this time. The logger advised them to "run a dozer through the woods and push down" the oak, to make room for the abundant Douglas-fir regeneration. Ted Gahr responded to this advise and his growing understanding of the growth potential of the forest by starting a firewood removal program in 1983. For a number of years, large amounts of oak cordwood were removed (400 cords in 1983), always selectively and with remarkable care not to damage the residual woods. This selective removal served to "release" many of the emerging Douglas-fir from oak competition, stimulating growth and forest succession.
In the 1990’s, the owners have selectively removed Douglas-fir in several harvests that have concentrated on cutting larger and rougher dominants, opening room for higher quality stems and fir regeneration. Several small "patch cuts" of one acre of less have taken fir and oak in areas that were understocked-- these were planted with Douglas-fir seedlings. Ted Gahr has also planted Douglas-fir under existing oaks in places (Type 4). Many of these plantings have done quite well and are beginning to emerge above the oaks, particularly where oak firewood removal has provided more light.
FOREST RESOURCE
The 95 forested acres are quite diverse, partly because of the history of management and partly because of the variation in physical site characteristics. The forest rises up the west-facing slope of a north-south running ridge that provides greatly differing conditions for forest establishment and growth. The terrain is favorable for forest management, though a few short slopes exceed 50 percent grade. A good road and skid trail system accesses all forest stands.
A timber cruise conducted in December, 1998 found a gross timber volume of 539,000 board feet. A summary is found in the appendix. Douglas-fir accounted for 54% of total volume, with Oregon white oak (39%) and bigleaf maple (7%).
Trees are healthy and timber quality is generally good, although the young age of the fir shows in the preponderance of small sawlog grades (88% of fir sawlogs are 3 & 4 mill, or under 12 inches on the scaling end). Growth is highest on the Douglas-fir, which is increasing at an annual rate of 12.0 percent, or 35,000 board feet per year. Oak is growing at an annual rate of 3.5 percent
The timber cruise measured a large number pre-merchantable Douglas-fir trees (trees under eight inches diameter at 4.5 feet high). Timber Types 1, 2 & 4 had an average of 100 per acre. As these trees reach minimum merchantable size, they will boost growth rates beyond the 12 percent measured on larger trees (termed "ingrowth").
For management purposes, the woodland was divided into five stands (Types) based on tree species composition, age and location:
Type 1 Young Douglas-fir (D3 =1965, wo - 35 acres) -- This is a young stand of Douglas-fir that has been released from oak competition by firewood cutting in the 1980’s, and more recently, commercially thinned in the 1990’s. Stand structure varies from thinned, dense clumps of uniform fir, to "gappy - clumpy" areas where more oak has been removed or patches have been cut and replanted. Topography is gentle on the lower slope but rises to the east, where steeper areas can exceed 50 percent grade.
The average stand diameter is 12 inches, with 95 sq. ft. of basal area and 107 merchantable trees per acre. All these numbers are rising rapidly through high growth rates of measured trees and "ingrowth" of pre-merchantable trees. Current volumes average 5,200 board feet per acre, or 185,000 board feet total.
This type also contains scatter fir and oak that are 75 years or older. A few dense pockets of fir would benefit from thinning now. Otherwise thinning could be delayed 2-4 years and trees still retain good crown size and vigor. Future thinning will be required to assure continued growth of pre-merchantable trees.
Type 2 Oak with D. fir understory (WO = 1850,df -- 34 acres) -- A variable stand of Oregon white oak with young Douglas-fir in the understory. Understory trees are vigorous and have released well from competition where larger oak and fir have been thinned. The fir is between 20 and 30 years old. In the main stand, most thinning has been on the south side of the main haul road (see base map). The stand north of the haul road and near the properties’ north and east lines has seen less harvest and is considered a de-facto "reserve" by the owners -- some harvest may take place, but the mixed character of the woods is to be preserved and harvest impact minimized.
Average diameter of the oaks is 12 inches, with fir averaging 10 inches. Basal area totals 73 square feet with 97 trees per acre. More importantly, there are more than 110 per merchantable fir per acre in the stand, illustrating the rapid succession taking places in many areas.
Type 3 Douglas-fir/bigleaf maple mix (D3 = 1955,blm -- 14 acres) -- This is a mix of Douglas-fir and bigleaf maple, with some oak. A few of the fir and maple are up to 75 years old. The upper slopes rise steeply in several draws that drain into a pond. This is some of the steepest terrain on the property (exceeding 50% at the top). Type 3 is perhaps the most varied stand, with the highest component of bigleaf maple. Little harvesting has been done here, primarily because of steepness and possible slope instability at the upper end.
Average stand diameter is 14 inches, with 95 sq. ft. of basal area and 90 merchantable trees per acre. Current volumes average 7,800 board feet per acre, or 110,000 board feet total.
This is a more mature, stable stand with few pre-merchantable trees per acre. Understory vegetation in the moist draws is dominated by sword fern and vine maple. The resource use here is primarily as a watershed for the pond system below.
Type 4 Planted Douglas-fir overtopping oak (D2= 1965,wo - 7 acres) -- Many of the fir emerging from the oaks in this stand were planted in the mid 1960’s, and released by firewood removal in the 1980’s. Trees are vigorous and recovering well from the oak competition. Pre-commercial thinning of the fir has also increased vigor of remaining trees. The topography is gentle here. Some of the stand shows evidence of poor soil drainage and moisture stress in the fir.
Average stand diameter is 11 inches, with 76 sq. ft. of basal area and 120 merchantable trees per acre. Dynamic change is evident in the following cruise measurements: Almost 20 percent annual growth on the young Douglas-fir, with 100 pre-merchantable fir per acre. Growth rates will remain strong for the next five years, but will decline later unless commercial thinning takes place.
Type 5 Large Oregon white oak with some fir (WO = 1850,df - 5 acres) -- This is a unique stand of larger oak on the upper the ridge, along the east line of the property. The oak is of good quality and vigorous, having been thinned in the recent past.
Average diameter of the oak is 16 inches, with many of good sawlog quality. There are 119 merchantable trees per acre, with some scattered Douglas-fir regeneration (little oak regeneration). This has been treated by the owners as a reserve, wildlife stand, valued for its age, quality and the diversity it lends to the forest. Harvest activity will be limited to selective removal of oak and fir to promote the health of the older, larger oaks.
In summary, the current forest is well-managed and productive, with a diversity of stand conditions. Trees are of good quality, vigorous and the Douglas-fir component is growing rapidly. Logging since 1982 has been primarily low-impact thinnings and firewood removal, with some group selection. This past management has been a good step along the path toward building a sustainable forest while retaining tree species diversity and aesthetic quality. More information is presented in the cruise summary in the Appendix and the property Findings.
A timber cruise conducted in December, 1998 found a gross timber volume of 539,000 board feet. A summary is found in the appendix. Douglas-fir accounted for 54% of total volume, with Oregon white oak (39%) and bigleaf maple (7%).
Trees are healthy and timber quality is generally good, although the young age of the fir shows in the preponderance of small sawlog grades (88% of fir sawlogs are 3 & 4 mill, or under 12 inches on the scaling end). Growth is highest on the Douglas-fir, which is increasing at an annual rate of 12.0 percent, or 35,000 board feet per year. Oak is growing at an annual rate of 3.5 percent
The timber cruise measured a large number pre-merchantable Douglas-fir trees (trees under eight inches diameter at 4.5 feet high). Timber Types 1, 2 & 4 had an average of 100 per acre. As these trees reach minimum merchantable size, they will boost growth rates beyond the 12 percent measured on larger trees (termed "ingrowth").
For management purposes, the woodland was divided into five stands (Types) based on tree species composition, age and location:
Type 1 Young Douglas-fir (D3 =1965, wo - 35 acres) -- This is a young stand of Douglas-fir that has been released from oak competition by firewood cutting in the 1980’s, and more recently, commercially thinned in the 1990’s. Stand structure varies from thinned, dense clumps of uniform fir, to "gappy - clumpy" areas where more oak has been removed or patches have been cut and replanted. Topography is gentle on the lower slope but rises to the east, where steeper areas can exceed 50 percent grade.
The average stand diameter is 12 inches, with 95 sq. ft. of basal area and 107 merchantable trees per acre. All these numbers are rising rapidly through high growth rates of measured trees and "ingrowth" of pre-merchantable trees. Current volumes average 5,200 board feet per acre, or 185,000 board feet total.
This type also contains scatter fir and oak that are 75 years or older. A few dense pockets of fir would benefit from thinning now. Otherwise thinning could be delayed 2-4 years and trees still retain good crown size and vigor. Future thinning will be required to assure continued growth of pre-merchantable trees.
Type 2 Oak with D. fir understory (WO = 1850,df -- 34 acres) -- A variable stand of Oregon white oak with young Douglas-fir in the understory. Understory trees are vigorous and have released well from competition where larger oak and fir have been thinned. The fir is between 20 and 30 years old. In the main stand, most thinning has been on the south side of the main haul road (see base map). The stand north of the haul road and near the properties’ north and east lines has seen less harvest and is considered a de-facto "reserve" by the owners -- some harvest may take place, but the mixed character of the woods is to be preserved and harvest impact minimized.
Average diameter of the oaks is 12 inches, with fir averaging 10 inches. Basal area totals 73 square feet with 97 trees per acre. More importantly, there are more than 110 per merchantable fir per acre in the stand, illustrating the rapid succession taking places in many areas.
Type 3 Douglas-fir/bigleaf maple mix (D3 = 1955,blm -- 14 acres) -- This is a mix of Douglas-fir and bigleaf maple, with some oak. A few of the fir and maple are up to 75 years old. The upper slopes rise steeply in several draws that drain into a pond. This is some of the steepest terrain on the property (exceeding 50% at the top). Type 3 is perhaps the most varied stand, with the highest component of bigleaf maple. Little harvesting has been done here, primarily because of steepness and possible slope instability at the upper end.
Average stand diameter is 14 inches, with 95 sq. ft. of basal area and 90 merchantable trees per acre. Current volumes average 7,800 board feet per acre, or 110,000 board feet total.
This is a more mature, stable stand with few pre-merchantable trees per acre. Understory vegetation in the moist draws is dominated by sword fern and vine maple. The resource use here is primarily as a watershed for the pond system below.
Type 4 Planted Douglas-fir overtopping oak (D2= 1965,wo - 7 acres) -- Many of the fir emerging from the oaks in this stand were planted in the mid 1960’s, and released by firewood removal in the 1980’s. Trees are vigorous and recovering well from the oak competition. Pre-commercial thinning of the fir has also increased vigor of remaining trees. The topography is gentle here. Some of the stand shows evidence of poor soil drainage and moisture stress in the fir.
Average stand diameter is 11 inches, with 76 sq. ft. of basal area and 120 merchantable trees per acre. Dynamic change is evident in the following cruise measurements: Almost 20 percent annual growth on the young Douglas-fir, with 100 pre-merchantable fir per acre. Growth rates will remain strong for the next five years, but will decline later unless commercial thinning takes place.
Type 5 Large Oregon white oak with some fir (WO = 1850,df - 5 acres) -- This is a unique stand of larger oak on the upper the ridge, along the east line of the property. The oak is of good quality and vigorous, having been thinned in the recent past.
Average diameter of the oak is 16 inches, with many of good sawlog quality. There are 119 merchantable trees per acre, with some scattered Douglas-fir regeneration (little oak regeneration). This has been treated by the owners as a reserve, wildlife stand, valued for its age, quality and the diversity it lends to the forest. Harvest activity will be limited to selective removal of oak and fir to promote the health of the older, larger oaks.
In summary, the current forest is well-managed and productive, with a diversity of stand conditions. Trees are of good quality, vigorous and the Douglas-fir component is growing rapidly. Logging since 1982 has been primarily low-impact thinnings and firewood removal, with some group selection. This past management has been a good step along the path toward building a sustainable forest while retaining tree species diversity and aesthetic quality. More information is presented in the cruise summary in the Appendix, and the property Findings section .
3. Biodiversity____Back to Top
There are few large snags on the property. Particularly valuable are large oak and Douglas-fir snags, which add vertical structure, support woodpeckers, and provide den and nest sites. Existing snags should be protected from harvest. Living snags and snag recruits should be marked for protection during cutting.
Coarse woody debris (CWD) levels, as measured by the cruise, are low. Average per acre weight is only three tons, compared to frequently seen levels of between 7 and 15 tons on similar forest sites. Most woody debris is six inches or less in diameter. Few large down logs are present, suggesting that this most important component is almost absent in the forest. These levels can be augmented by restricting salvage of dead, dying or cull trees.
The main riparian resource is found on the south side of the forest (Type 3), where the upper draws funnel moisture into a forest pond. Below this pond there is a seasonal flow into a series of ponds. The watershed area of Type 3 is managed as a reserve, and the ponds and drainage are worthy of protection. There are no other significant riparian features in the woodland.
Steep slopes in the upper forest have a high soil erosion hazard, and should receive special consideration. Some skid trails exceed 40% slope, and should be decommissioned where other access trails can be laid out. Because logging has been done in the dry season and with care, there is little evidence of erosion or mass soil movement.
For further information on other features contributing to biodiversity, see the Property Findings section below.
FOREST POLICY SUMMARY
The underlying goal for the management of the Gahr Forest is to continue to protect and restore the forest to a more diverse, natural state while maintaining an ongoing harvest program that supports the owners and the local economy. . A comprehensive set of sustainable forest management policies will guide planning efforts. Field operations will be performed under a strict set of performance standards. These policies and standards are found in their entirety in the appendix, but are summarized below.
1. Community Relations
Management of the Gahr Forest will meet SmartWood standards for sustainable forestry "Green" Certification. Sustainable harvest levels, ecosystem protection, and community and social benefits receive balanced consideration.
2. Management Planning
Planning for sustainable forest management will use an adaptive approach, with information collected on a full array of forest biological resources. Ongoing monitoring to insure management activities both satisfy owner goals, and maintain the biological diversity of the forest.
3. Silviculture
The silvicultural systems used to accomplish economic and ecological objectives must be suited to the forest condition and based on the best forest science available. Selective thinnings that promote uneven-aged stand structures will be emphasized. Natural disturbance regimes will provide the pattern for management, to assure that native biodiversity is maintained and restored. Trees will be harvested at levels below growth, to increase timber capital value, and encourage restoration toward native forest structure.
4. Environmental Protection
The protection of biological resources will be implicit in all phases of planning and management. Soils will be protected from adverse harvest impacts. Water quality and riparian function will be maintained or improved. Biological legacies, coarse woody debris, and wildlife habitat will be inventoried, permanently designated in the field, and protected.
5. Monitoring and Assessment
Setting specific performance goals, assessing progress towards them, and adapting the management approach when necessary are essential is management is to be sustainable over the long-term. The success of stand structure and regeneration goals, coarse woody debris and snag recruitment policies, and timber growth projections all rest on careful and ongoing monitoring.
4. General Recommendations____Back to Top
The prospects for achieving the Gahr’s objectives for the forest are excellent The managed forest is healthy, and will continue to respond well to thinning and patch cutting of the young Douglas-fir and cutting of selected oak to relieve overcrowding.. The mixed oak / fir stands add much diversity, and should be maintained by providing space to some of the better oak trees now in danger of being killed by overtopping.
In the first 10 year period of the plan, three thinnings -- in the summer of 2000, another in four years and one after a period of 8-to-10 years -- will allow less vigorous or mature conifers to be removed, improving the growing space overstocked areas of the stands (particularly in Types 1 & 4). These harvests will include some patch cuts of 0.5 to 2 acres in size, allowing replanting of fir and other species in understocked areas. Smaller harvest volumes in the early years will allow volumes to increase as the young forest matures (see Growth and Harvest projections below). This will ultimately increase the sustainable harvest opportunities in the following ten years.
The greatest management priority (thinning patches of overcrowded, dense fir in Type 1) is scheduled for the summer of 2000. Future thinnings will be limited to 30% of the volume at each entry, with a 5-to-7 year return cycle. In early years, this will be primarily a "thinning from above" that cuts the generally larger, often rough trees. Later, as the young stands mature, the thinning will be more balanced, cutting trees of low vigor from all diameter classes. Wildlife trees and legacy trees that will survive and grow into the next generation have been and will be marked prior to harvest.
A secondary management priority is to increase the vigor of mixed Oak - Douglas-fir stands. Selective thinning in some areas of the better oak stands helps to remove competing and/or defective Douglas-fir. The areas where good oak will be favored are Types 5 and Type 2, north of the main haul road. This will help preserve some of the best stands where oak currently dominates. Selective thinning in other areas of the mixed oak-fir will salvage some Douglas-fir and relieve overcrowding, helping to maintain the balance between oak and fir.
The management focus during the second 10 year period (2010-2019) will emphasize selective thinnings to maintain growth and vigor of the stand. With a thinning re-entry cycle of 5-to-7 years (in the young fir stands), several more small harvests are expected during this time period.
During harvest entries an effort should be made to identify and mark trees of unique value (legacy trees and wildlife trees) for preservation, on a forest-wide basis. It is particularly important to mark these trees in stands before any harvest activity begins.
The riparian - reserve area above the pond (Type 3) is permanently taken out of the active management area.
MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES / ACTIVITY SCHEDULE 2000- 2019
year Type activity mbf** income*
2000 Type 1 Thin dense fir 20 $7,500 patches
2000 Type 1 Mark Wildlife
& Legacy trees
2000 - Type 1 Permanently Mark
Skid Trails
2004 Types 1 Thin fir, 50 $19,000
2 & 4 some oak
2004 Type 2 Several Patch cuts 15 $ 5,500 Plant Patch cuts ( $800)
2008 All Types Thin as needed 120 $45,000
_____________________________________________
2010 All Types re-inventory, update plan ($3,500)
2010- All Types Thin as needed
2019 harvest levels @ + 50% of growth
_____________________________________________
* Assumes current log prices (1999 Dollars)
** Douglas-fir harvest only
Monitoring and Assessment
Each harvest area will be monitored one and three years after the cut. Growth response and stand stability will be evaluated, with salvage scheduled in cases of significant value loss. Seedling survival will be assessed, with follow-up treatments prescribed as necessary. Major windstorms will trigger a property monitoring walk to evaluate damage.
At the end of the first 10 year period, management should be assessed to gauge how well landowner goals are being met. An updated timber cruise at year 2010 will monitor timber volumes and growth rates. By 2010 the following specific measurable goals should be attained:
(2) Annual fir growth rate of 60+ MBF
(5) No harvest openings visible from the valley floor
(6) A slowing in growth, but no net decrease in oak and maple volume.
5. GROWTH & HARVEST YIELD PROJECTIONS_____Back to Top
The harvest schedule outlined below illustrates the way the forest will continue to grow if the modest harvest levels of the first 20 year plan are followed. While forecasting the forest growth and harvest levels of a 20 year period is more speculative, it is important to look that far ahead, towards what the forest will look like in a more mature state. These volume estimates are for Douglas-fir only (it is assumed that +85% of the growth and harvests will be from Douglas-fir in the first 20 year period).
Assumptions: Volumes are based on the 1998 timber cruise that estimated 289 MBF of Douglas-fir on the property. An annual growth rate of 12% is assumed for the first 5 years (current rate measured in the inventory), slowing to an annual growth rate of 8% by 2010, and finally to a rate of 6% by the end of the 20-year period -- as the forest matures and growth slows naturally. These growth levels will be supported by the large number of premerchantable trees moving into the forest canopy layer. Annual growth rates average about 60 MBF as the total volume of Douglas-fir rises to nearly 1 million board feet. This schedule would: (1) Build the timber volume on the property over time by cutting less than the annual growth (letting the forest become more mature), and (2) gradually increase the sustainable harvest levels over the 20 years.
* all volumes are MBF Douglas-fir
GROWTH AND HARVEST TRENDS
The following chart illustrates the way the forest will continue to grow if the harvest levels suggested above are followed:
Harvests will provide regular and increasing income, and be conservatively below current growth levels. Following this management strategy, all three primary tree species will increase in standing volume over the next 20 years, while over 500,00 board feet of Douglas-fir is harvested. Oak was assumed to grow at a 2.5% annually, and bigleaf maple at 3.5% annually over the next 20 years
6. Property Findings______Back to Top
1. Wildlife & Biological Resources
The Gahr forest has a rich variety of biological resources. The careful, selective cutting of the past 15 years has helped maintain tree species diversity. Aside from the remaining large oaks however, there is little remnant old forest character. In assessing the sufficiency of wildlife habitat on the forest, the primary document used for establishing minimum acceptable levels was the 1988 USDA publication: Management of Wildlife and Fish Habitats in Forests of Western Oregon and Washington.
Snags
The numbers of living and dead snags on the property are insufficient to sustain many woodpeckers and smaller foraging birds. Only two snags were tallied during the cruise, both of them oaks in Type 2. The target of 2 live and 2 dead snags per acre (with at least 20% of these in over 24" DBH) can be attained over time by: (1) permanently protecting wildlife trees that will become large snags over time, (2) restricting salvage of scattered dead trees and (3) marking and protecting existing snags from logging damage.
Coarse Woody Debris
Down woody debris is an important part of forest wildlife habitat and a future source of organic matter for soil structure and fertility. Coarse woody debris levels were measured at an average per acre weight of only 3 tons. This compares to commonly measured rates of 7-to-15 tons per acre on similar sites. There is a relative scarcity of new large down logs, a concern for long-term CWD levels. This can be remedied by: (1) Allowing the natural decline of living and dead snags, and (2) preventing larger trees that die in the forest from being salvaged. If tree loss is widespread and represents significant economic loss, salvage may occur.
Understory Vegetation
The forest includes understory plant communities typically associated with oak stands in succession toward Douglas-fir. Native species tend to predominate in areas less impacted by past logging. However, invasive non-native evergreen blackberry and scotch broom are a threat, and have choked out native vegetation on woodlands in the area.
Grass, hazel brush and poison oak tend to dominate the understory on drier, more open, oak dominated stands. The shrub and herbaceous layers may also include such plants as yerba buena, wild rose, and snowberry.
Where there is more moisture (e.g., Type 3) vine maple becomes more prominent and swordfern tends to dominate the forest floor. This is common where there is a bigleaf maple overstory..
On the lower slopes, the forest type changes to a more open, oak savanna type, with more grasses and hazel (lower Type 2)
Other common plants include: Salal, brackenfern, huckleberry, black raspberry, wild blackberry, vanilla leaf, columbine, iris, miner’s lettuce, and false solomonseal.
Property Findings (biological resources, cont.)
Special Habitat & Conservation Zones
The property includes several areas where harvest activities could have a significantly undesirable impact on habitat quality. Some sites have significant aesthetic and ecological value, which should be preserved. Year-round springs and ponds that originate in Type 3 provide important late summer watering holes for a wide variety of wildlife species. The Gahr’s value the undisturbed patches of maple and oak here, with open understories dominated by swordfern. These acres are recommended as a reserve.
Type 5 -- the forest stand with the largest and highest quality oak -- has been managed as a reserve. Future harvests here will continue to be low-impact, removing Douglas-fir that threaten to over-top and kill legacy oak trees.
The acres of Type 2 that are north of the main haul road are reserved as a mixed Oak/Douglas-fir woodland. Management objectives here are to provide an example of low-impact harvests (probably only single tree selection) that help maintain the hardwoods in the stand, by selective removal of fir.
Landscape-level Considerations
From a landscape perspective the Gahr forest is not currently unique—mixed oak and fir stands are still fairly common in the surrounding area—though it will become more so in time. Many owners (especially forest industry) consider mixed stands to be underproductive from a timber growth standpoint; oak woodlands on these lower foothill sites are being clearcut. Over the next 10 to 20 years the Gahr forest will play an increasingly important local role as a model of oak woodland conservation.
2. Riparian Areas
As discussed above, the property has several ponds that collect water from the draws in Type 3. This watershed area of Type 3 is managed as a reserve, and the ponds and drainage are worthy of protection. Muddy Creek, a fishbearing stream, flows through the lower farmland, outside the woodland zone. There are no other riparian resources in the forest.
Skid trails should avoid wet areas to the greatest extent possible. Existing road and trail layout effectively protects most other riparian resources. Restricting logging to the dry season and proper water bar installation will offer further protections. Soil mobility from past harvest activities appears to be minor and localized.
3. Forest Soils
Section to be completed.
4. Forest Health and Protection
Management activities within the forest can either increase or decrease the risk of forest loss or decline from fire, wind, soil disturbance, insects and disease. Forest protection is accomplished through thoughtful actions that reduce this risk.
Insects and disease
At present there is little evidence of tree loss from insects or disease on the Gahr Forest. Phellinus (laminated root rot) is the most common threat to Douglas-fir in western Oregon. This fungus may be present on the property, though no active infection pockets were noted. Also present in low levels are Red ring rot (Phellinus pini) and brown cubicle rot (P. schweinitzii), which cause minor annual merchantable volume loss. Older, less vigorous trees that have prior stem injuries can lose most of their merchantable value as the rot progresses. Healthy trees are much more resistant to decay.
Swiss needle cast disease (P. gaeumannii), a native fungal pathogen, has been recently impacting hundreds of thousands of acres of Douglas-fir on the Oregon coast. Serious disease symptoms were believed to be limited to the wet fog belt (within 15 miles of the coast), but foliar loss and growth impacts have been found over a broader area of the coast range in recent years. The sudden increase in severity of this problem illustrates the potential risk to the forest from disease, and the wisdom of encouraging multi-species stands that are inherently less vulnerable. Insect defoliators such as Douglas-fir tussock moth and the western oak looper are also capable of doing damage if populations reach high levels.
The best protection against disease and insects is to promote a healthy, diverse forest with abundant wildlife habitat. Healthy trees are much better at resisting disease and insect attacks. Diversity in tree species reduces the chance of insect and disease infestations, while lessening the impact if one tree species is lost. While Douglas-fir will be the dominant tree on the Gahr forest, maintaining other species will help maintain long-term forest health. Planting should feature multiple species of trees when regenerating the forest. Good management practices such as soil protection and thinning to increase stand vigor will help protect the forest. By increasing wildlife habitat, the natural control of feeding birds, mammals, and other insects will be enhanced.
Blowdown and fire risk: While it should be understood that fire in the forest can be beneficial, the risk of catastrophic loss from wildfire is always a concern. The two primary causes of wildfire are "Man" and "Lightning". This plan stresses (1) reducing the risk of a fire starting and (2) reducing the size and hazard of any fire by preparations which include upgrading and maintaining logging roads and trails, minimizing concentrations of slash, avoiding slash burning, preventing trespass, and maintaining basic suppression equipment (shovels, crawlers, etc.). It's also important to follow the basic Department of Forestry rules on fire safety, especially when harvests coincide with late summer fire season.
Blowdown and snow breakage is a threat to trees of poor health and vigor. After a harvest trees that have not acclimated to the new conditions are susceptible to wind damage. Trees are generally stable and vigorous, with little indication of post-harvest trauma following recent cuts.
Non-native plants and animals may pose a threat to forest health. Himalayan blackberry and scotch broom are invasive, non natives that can take over the understory of much of the forest. Evidence of this can be seen neighboring properties, where the shade tolerant evergreen blackberry has invaded both openings and denser stands. Attention should be paid to this in harvest planning and silvicultural prescriptions.
5. Recreation and Aesthetics
The Gahr forest currently receives considerable recreational use. Hiking and nature appreciation by the owners and their bed-and-breakfast guests are important activities on the property.
Aesthetics are important to the Gahr family, especially in areas visible from the houses, roads and main trails. Most of the forest is visible from the paved county road that runs along the west side of the farm. Light-impact individual tree and small group selection harvests will have minimal visual impact from close-up or afar.
Some sites have family significance, and these areas will be managed as reserves, where maintaining and enhancing the "old growth" character of the site take precedence, and equipment intrusion should be avoided. This area amounts to approximately 10 acres, or about 10% of forested acreage. This will not pose a significant forest management or financial burden.
6. Economic Analysis
The 1998 cruise measured an annual conifer growth rate of 366 bd.ft. on volume of 3,000 bd.ft. per acre, or 12.0%. This rate of growth is on existing merchantable trees, and does not include "ingrowth" of currently undersized trees (pre-merchantable). This reflects both the relatively young age of the Douglas-fir and the high rate of growth from past thinning.
Stumpage appreciation over the past 3–4 decades has been 1–2% above inflation. Ingrowth can account for an additional 2–4%. The total rate of return is the sum of these three components, and is likely to be in the range of 15%–20%. Institutional investors have increasingly viewed timberland investments as providing respectable returns with a relatively low economic risk, and have invested heavily through the 1980s and 90s. A detailed discussion on timberland return and risk is found in the appendix.
6. Access
The Gahr forest has a network of earth-surfaced roads that provide access to all the timber stands on the property. A dirt haul road provides access to upper forest and a log landing.
Landings and skid trails are also in place. Most of the skid trails are well-designed, but some exceed 40% slope or are unnecessary. These trails should be decommissioned or rerouted as they are encountered during harvest planning -- if there is a better, lower impact alternative. The overall goal of restricting trails, roads and landings to 10% of the property is met when skid trails average 150 feet apart.
7. Boundaries
Boundaries are generally easy to follow old fence lines. A line of fence posts indicates the northwest corner and part of the west line. Other lines and corners are identified only by old flagging, or are not documented.
Boundary evidence should be improved. Lines should be inspected and maintained at no more than 7 year intervals, and blazed every 15 years.
8. Legal Restrictions
The Oregon Forest Practices Act became law in 1972. The Act provides for a set of rules establishing minimum standards (e.g. slash disposal and reforestation requirements) which encourage and enhance the growing and harvesting of trees. Harvest rules have also been updated to regulate the maximum size of clearcuts and provide for green tree retention within clearcuts. At the same time, the act considers and protects other environmental resources—air, water, soil, and wildlife. The Act has been updated to regulate forest practices when they conflict with "special resources" (sites used by threatened and endangered species, sensitive bird nesting, roosting and watering sites, significant wetlands, and biological sites that are ecologically and scientifically significant).
The forest practice rules for streams were revised and the new rules went into effect on September 1, 1994. These rules are more restrictive and extend riparian protection to much smaller streams and wetlands. These rules are likely to be revised again in 2000, as the State and Counties struggle to protect recently listed salmon and steelhead runs in the Willamette river.
Possible rule changes are not likely to greatly affect the property because of the limited riparian features. The rules generally allow no logging within 20 feet on each side of streams except to convert hardwoods to conifers. Within a wider zone (from 20 to 100 feet depending on stream width) owners are required to leave up to 230 square feet of conifer basal area per 1000 feet of stream. At this time these wider riparian restrictions do not apply the one seasonal drainage in the forest, and should not limit any planned management activities.
The Forest Practices Act requires that an operator, timber owner, landowner or owner's agent, before starting a regulated operation, notify the State Forester. This includes any commercial thinning or harvest, road building, scarification, burning, or spraying. Forest Products and Severance must be paid annually for all harvested forest products.
9. Tax Status
The Gahr Forest is currently taxed under the Designated Forestland program.
GAHR FOREST POLICY & MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The Gahr Forest is to be managed as an efficient and economically viable timber resource, that recognizes and protects other resource values, and to enables public recreation. Portions of the property supporting sensitive resources will be reserved from management. The portion of the property under active management will emphasize selective (uneven-aged) light-impact harvest methods. The biological resources of the forest will be protected to the greatest degree, and harvests will be restricted to permanently sustainable levels.
1. Community and Contractor Relations
The Gahrs wish to encourage forest stewardship by providing a successful example of a sustainably managed forest. They plan to participate in the certified forest management services offered by his consulting forestry company, Individual Tree Selection Management. ITS Management has been recognized by SmartWood (cm) as "well managed" and has been certified as a woodland resource manager. Under this program, participating landowners who have qualified plans and sustainable harvest levels can sell forest products in the developing "green marketplace".
Loggers and contractors are viewed as important partners in the management process. Loggers will be paid on the basis of measured volumes delivered to the mill, with rates determined by negotiated bid and the expectation of extra care taken to protect the resource. These rates have been and are expected to be at the upper end of the competitive range for smaller logging contractors. Any contractor that has a record of good work on the property will be given the first opportunity in subsequent hirings.
2. Management Planning.
This plan is intended as a start towards articulating and achieving the owners’ goals. It is an adaptive plan that is designed to be flexible and change with time. As goals, forest conditions and our understanding of ecosystem management change, the plan will be revised and updated to reflect those changes. As such, this plan emphasizes the specific policies, silvicultural techniques and operational standards that will guide management towards specific goals. Detailed operational timetables with specific stand prescriptions are deliberately de-emphasized -- experience shows that these are often not useful after the passage of one or two years. Monitoring changes in the forest that result from management activities, assessing the progress towards specific goals, and providing for adjustments if the goals are not met -- are all functions of a good plan.
Inventory every 10-15 years.
Use the planning process as an opportunity for owner education through supplying additional literature, use field visits and walks when appropriate.
Evaluate management performance at least every 5 years.
Assess progress towards specific goals (e.g. timber growth, regeneration, resource protection -- see specific goals below)
A detailed map and brief operational plan will be prepared before each timber harvest . Important features of the map include: Stand delineations, cutting boundaries, and locations of landings and major skid trails. Briefly detail the silvicultural prescription for each stand (use basal area cruise information). Estimate the volume and value of the harvest by species. Describe the current market and buyers who will be contacted during the marketing process.
Mark or designate all harvest trees prior to harvest
Mark wildlife and legacy trees before harvest begins
Note protected resources, mark in field
Designate and flag all skid trails and landings before harvest
Notify abutting landowners before harvest
Supervise as necessary -- forester is present at startup of logging and weekly during active operations. Forester inspects site prior to giving logger OK to leave.
Provide on-going stumpage accounting as harvest progresses
Notify owners immediately in case of contract or environmental infractions
Perform post-sale reconnaissance
Harvest planning and execution is the best opportunity for data gathering in the field. Information gathered on the stand and forest condition should be placed in the tables provided in the forest stand descriptions section of this plan.
3. Silviculture
The silvicultural systems used to accomplish economic and ecological objectives must be suited to the forest condition and based on the best forest science available. Selective thinnings that promote uneven-aged stand structures are preferred-- this minimizes visual and environmental disturbance. Clearcutting will be minimized to avoid unwanted site impacts and aesthetic degradation. Forest management seeks to mimic the size, type and frequency of disturbances found in natural forests. The Gahr Forest will continue to be managed for timber growth, diversity of tree species, age classes and quality and quantity of wildlife habitat.
Ecosystem dynamics should be addressed in silvicultural prescriptions (stage of stand development, tree species diversity, presence of gaps or clumps, special biological resources, etc.)
Thinnings
Thin to promote growth and health of the stand
Select harvest trees from across the range of diameters to build stand diversity
Avoid removing more than 30 percent of the volume in any entry
Thinning response determines the harvest cycle -- re-enter when growth response slows from crown competition
Group Selection
Group selection and larger "patch-cuts" (openings less than two tree heights in diameter) are the preferred method of harvest when a larger disturbance is appropriate. These larger openings may be needed to provide additional light to natural or artificial regeneration, protect the forest from disease outbreaks, or provide more diversity in the forest structure.
Modified Clearcuts
Clearcutting as a method to regenerate the stand will be avoided. "Modified" clearcutting may be appropriate where a more even-aged stand is desired for purposes of diversity, or where disease or insect problems exist. The size of "modified" clearcuts will be limited to 5 acres. At least 10% of the original stand shall remain after harvest. Remaining tress shall be left in groups and contain larger, vigorous representatives of the original stand. Legacy and wildlife trees will be protected.
Harvest Levels
Harvests shall not exceed growth during any ten-year period. The allowable periodic harvest will be determined by actual between-inventory growth. The preferred level of harvest is 50% (or less) of growth -- this allows the younger forest stands to mature and build in volume -- providing for higher sustainable levels of harvest in the future (see harvest schedule.
Forest Age and Species Diversity
Promote vigorous, high-quality trees in early thinnings that will grow well throughout the lifetime of the stand
Grow older, high-quality trees for future harvest
Favor vigorous grand fir, oak and other species where they are minor components of stands
Maintain a "balanced" age-class distribution among the forest stands. Every ten years enough regeneration must be secured to "balance" the forest and assure that these new trees will comprise at least 5-to-10 percent of the forest as they mature.
Regeneration
Natural regeneration in thinned stands or patch-cuts is the preferred method of perpetuating the forest. Experience and knowledge of the conditions necessary for initiating natural regeneration is unfortunately very limited; while natural regeneration has developed in the past, it is expected that supplemental planting will be necessary in some areas. Given these conditions, it is prudent to also plant to regenerate the forest , unless early natural regeneration is secured following the first or second harvest entry into the stand (before brush initiation).
Plant native, site-adapted commercial tree species.
Plant several species so that no single species makes up more than 70% of the future stand
Use seedlings from seed zones appropriate for the site (genetically improved if possible)
Plant following any harvest operation that reduces the stand basal area below 80 sq. ft. per acre. The stocking of residual seedlings, saplings and poles shall be weighted to determine the total basal area, as in the 1997 Oregon Forest Practices Rules (OAR 629-610-010 section (7)).
Vegetation control: Limit use of chemicals to control of non-native vegetation. If possible, limit competing brush with mechanical methods.
4. Environmental Protection (Biological Resource Management)
Protection of Biological Resources in the Gahr Forest is a priority. Any management activity must include an analysis of the impact on these resources, and harvest planning must include steps to protect and enhance these resources if possible.
Soils
Soils will be protected from adverse impacts associated with harvest activities. Soil erosion and loss of soil structure through compaction are serious threats to forest health. Soil fertility will be encouraged by leaving down woody debris in the forest to rot. To encourage formation of woody debris on the Gahr Tract, all cull or pulp logs will be left in the woods to decay (except in cases of fire hazard or where there are operational safety concerns).
Wet-season logging is acceptable only during dry periods when the soil is well-drained
Skidding will be restricted to skid trails that have been marked in the field prior to harvest
Total area impacted by skid trails, landings and haul roads shall not exceed 10 percent of the forest area.
No roads or skid trails shall exceed a grade of 40% (averaged over any 100 feet)
Any preexisting, excessively steep skid trails will be de-commissioned
Slash burning will be avoided
Excessive slash shall be piled in small piles, less than two feet high where possible
Loggers will be required to install water bars where needed to control erosion
Riparian Zones
Provide logger with map showing riparian zones, note restrictions in contract
Maintain 25’riparian buffers on any channeled, seasonal stream.
Mark and maintain riparian buffers around springs
Prohibit skidder operation in riparian zones
Retire or relocate skid trails or roads in sensitive areas
Legacy and Wildlife Trees
Trees that are unique for their wildlife value, size, age, species or location will be permanently marked for preservation. A consistent effort will be made to identify sufficient wildlife trees (with a target of 2-4 per acre) to enhance habitat throughout the forest. Legacy trees are intended as "linkages" to the next forest, providing seed for the next generation of trees, and large trees for added structural complexity. Some will eventually be harvested, providing high-quality logs for economic benefit, and some will die standing or be blown down, providing snags for wildlife and large wood debris for the forest soil. An eventual target of 4-5 legacy trees per acre speed the creation of late-successional forest character over time.
Selection of Legacy Trees
Form: Select trees of good form (low taper, small branching and lack of defects)
Size: Select larger, dominant trees. Some younger, smaller individuals may be selected if they are likely to become future dominants
Species: Choose trees that come from the several major species of the forest. Some minor species (representing less than 10% of the stand) may be selected for diversity
Quantity: Select at least 4 legacy trees per acre (one of four can come from a minor species). Mark at least one tree per acre with each entry until target is met
Location: Select so that legacy trees are will-distributed throughout the forest. Groups of legacy trees should be in clumps of 4 or fewer. Legacy trees may be concentrated in riparian areas, not to exceed 25% of the total for the stand, unless the management area is smaller than 20 acres.
Management of Legacy Trees
Protection: Legacy trees will be given the highest level of protection during harvest
Recordkeeping: Legacy trees shall be tallied by species, diameter and management area.
Replacement: If damaged from logging, natural disturbance or disease, replacements will be marked as needed.
Longevity: Legacy trees shall not be harvested until after future regeneration is entering the pole size (>10 inches DBH). Harvest will not occur until suitable replacements are available in the stand. At least 25% of the legacy trees shall remain unharvested to provide future large snags an/or large woody debris.
Coarse Woody Debris (CWD)
A general assessment of coarse woody debris will be provided in this and future management plans, as well as in harvest plans. A minimum of 20 tons per acre is considered adequate. Most of the Gahr Forest stands lacks sufficient downed logs. Woody debris recruitment will be encouraged.
Leave butt log cull sections in woods
Preserve boundary line trees
Restrict or eliminate pulp wood removal
Restrict firewood removal
Salvage only in cases of significant losses (at least 1 load of logs in a landing area)
Snags
Snags are an important feature of the forest, essential for many species of birds for foraging and nesting. Past management has reduced the numbers of snags below what is necessary for a sustainable bird populations. Currently there are few snags greater than 20 inches in diameter. All existing snags will be protected from disturbance. Salvage of dead or declining trees will be minimized so target level of four snags per acre can be maintained in the stand. Where snags pose special risk for logging contractors (e.g. around landings) they may be felled.
5. Monitoring & Assessment
Setting specific performance goals, assessing progress towards them, and adapting the management approach when necessary is part of the planning process. Some monitoring and assessment has been discussed above-- the following critical items need individual targeted goals and regular monitoring to assure success:
Goal: When stand stocking levels are reduced below 80 square feet basal area (commercial tree species), or when stand structure goals suggest, regeneration should be initiated by stimulating natural regeneration and by planting at least 200 seedlings per acre.
Monitoring: This should be monitored prior to any harvest planning in the management area. This would involve a pre-harvest walk-through that samples basal area in forest stands and samples any planted areas for seedling growth and survival.
Goal: A minimum of 20 tons/acre of woody debris (>4") is desired.
Monitoring: This can be sampled on the periodic property inventory. It also should estimated and noted on all harvest planning walk-throughs.
Goal: four snags per acre in the stand. At least 50% should be 25" or greater in DBH. Adequate numbers of new snags (stage 1 or 2) must be recruited to build stand totals.
Monitoring: The measurement of snags will become part of the regular, 10-year forest inventory. Pre-harvest walk through will also note the presence of snags in the stand.
Goal: Harvest impacts on biological resources should be minimized. Skid trails, landings and roads will not impact more than 10% of the forest floor. Where possible, skid trails are to be laid out at least 150 feet apart. Erosion control devices will shed water from all trails, preventing mass erosion of soil.
Monitoring: Harvest impact is best assessed during the harvest and as part of the regular post-harvest walk through.
Goal: Growth rates are estimated to be 12% for Douglas-fir. A target growth rate after 10 years (2009) is 8%.
Monitoring: This will be accomplished by systematic inventories at ten-year intervals (re-inventorying in year 2009). Growth response to thinnings should be noted on all harvest planning walk-throughs.
Aspect - direction toward which a slope faces (exposure)
Blowdown - trees that have been knocked over by the wind
Commercial harvest - a timber stand improvement or harvest operation that results in a net landowner income
Crown - the canopy of leaves and branches formed by a tree
DBH - tree measurement; diameter at breast height (4.5 feet above ground)
Mature - condition of optimal tree value, after tree vigor and growth have slowed, yet before the onset of decay
MBF - log measurement statistic; one thousand board feet. One board foot equals a board one inch thick by 12 inches square (MMBF equals 1 million board feet)
Patch Cut - a harvest where small areas (2 to 5 acres) are cut, taking most of the standing trees with the exception of clumps of younger conifers and older residual wildlife trees.
Operability - ease with which logging machinery could work a site; often limited by rockiness, steep slopes, wetness, etc.
Regenerate - to establish a new stand of tree seedlings
Regeneration - seedlings of commercial tree species
Riparian Zone - wet soil areas next streams, lakes, estuaries and wetlands
RMA - riparian management zone (forest practice rules)
Seedling - tree greater than six inches tall but less than one inch DBH
Slash - tree tops, branches, bark and other debris left after a harvest operation
Snag - standing dead and/or dying tree. Important habitat element for numerous wildlife species
Stocking - stand measurement relative to the optimal number of trees that a unit of forestland could grow
Stagnant - trees that have stopped growing because of competition from neighboring trees. Decay has often set in.
Timber Type - a homogeneous unit of forestland, delineated because it supports trees of common species, age, potential, etc.
AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE
1. Financial Assistance:
There are several Federal cost-share programs that are available for timber improvement activities such as tree planting, brush control, pruning, and pre-commercial thinning. The programs work on a reimbursement basis; when the pre-approved activity is completed, it is examined in the field by an Oregon Department of Forestry service forester. The landowner is reimbursed for up to 75% (rate varies by program) of the project cost within certain dollar ceilings on a per acre basis. The Forest Incentives Program (FIP) is available through the FSA ( Farm Service Agency office in McMinnville). Early application is advisable because funds for these programs are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Currently the funds are very limited.
The Stewardship Incentive Program (SIP) offers similar cost-share assistance for timber improvement work, as well as monies for stewardship management plans. It is much more broad-based than FIP, providing assistance for enhancing recreational opportunities, improving wildlife habitat, and wetland and stream protection. Funds for this program are also limited and allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Forest Resource Trust was created and funded by the 1993 Oregon Legislature to provide up to 100 percent financing for converting underproducing forest land into productive forests. When forest products are harvested, a percentage of the net revenue is paid back to the Trust by the participating landowner. Information can be obtained from: Oregon Department of Forestry, Forest Resource Trust, 2600 State Street, Salem, Oregon, 97310. Tel: 503-945-7384. This program is currently not funded.
2. Technical:
There are several public agencies that provide technical assistance to small woodland owners:
The Farm Service Agency (formerly know as the ASCS) administers cost share programs in forestry and agriculture (described above). Yamhill County FSA, 2200 West 2nd, McMinnville, Or. 97128.
The Oregon State University Extension Service is the lead agency for educational information provided through publications, special courses, tours, videos, consultation, and newsletters. OSU Extension Service, forestry agent, 2050 Lafayette Ave., McMinnville, Or., 97128, 434-7517
The Yamhill County Small Woodlands Association educates woodland owner members through presentations and woodlot tours. Meets monthly in room 32 of the Yamhill County Courthouse.
The State Service Forester (Steve Vaught ) helps to provide technical information to landowners, as well as administers cost sharing programs.