ECOSYSTEMS > INLAND OREGON > FORESTS
Ask someone to describe Oregon with one image, and it’s likely they’ll choose a tree. From the paper in your computer’s printer, to the supporting beams in your home’s walls and roof, to the Christmas or decorative trees you buy at a nursery, Oregon is one of the country’s leading suppliers of all things wood. In fact, as of 2022, no other state produces as much softwood (wood that comes from a conifer such as pine, fir, or spruce tree instead of a broadleaved tree) — and accounts for 16% of the country’s entire supply. The number and variety of Oregon’s trees are due to a beneficial combination of climate and weather patterns powered by the Pacific Ocean, geography, and soil types. Two parallel mountain ranges contribute to the abundant vegetation growth. In Oregon, these ranges are the Coast Range Mountains and the Cascade Mountains, both of which shelter the valleys between them and create warmer winters, cooler summers, and a climate, which is wet throughout most of the year. Soils in these areas are a nutrient-rich combination of sandstones and mudstones, which are perfect for forest growth. As a result, the majority of Oregon’s softwood forests are located in the western areas of the state. See the map to the right. In fact, the growing conditions in Oregon are so ideal that the redwood forests in the southwestern part of the state and into northern California have the greatest biomass (the total mass of organisms in a given area by volume) of any place on Earth — including the Amazon rainforest! |
See the Forests Through the Trees
Of course, Oregon forests represent much more than just softwood timber. They are sanctuaries where Oregonians can hike, camp, and learn about nature. They contain a bounty of other natural resources, such as fish, wildlife, and thousands of different plant species including many edible fruits, berries, and mushrooms. They are crisscrossed and dotted by streams, creeks, rivers, and lakes. They contain historical and cultural sites important to Oregonians of all cultures and backgrounds, but particularly indigenous people. And last but not least, they are an infinitely sustainable resource, if we manage them correctly.
Unfortunately, past mistakes continue to haunt Oregon. Today, the state's forests cover over 30.5 million acres, but this is only a fraction of what used to grow here.
Unfortunately, past mistakes continue to haunt Oregon. Today, the state's forests cover over 30.5 million acres, but this is only a fraction of what used to grow here.
Forests Lost
Oregon’s forests have been harvested by people going back some 10,000 years. Indigenous tribes relied on the trees for building materials, tools and weapons, clothing and food. It was also a common practice among some tribes to burn off the trees to create meadowlands that were better for hunting, gathering native plants, or planting crops. These activities were small scale and did not greatly impact the larger forest ecosystem.
That changed in the 19th century when European-Americans began to settle in Oregon in great numbers. Spurred on by federal laws like the Homestead Act of 1862, pioneering Americans were promised free land as long as they utilized it for agriculture or timber production. Such laws created plenty of social, political, and cultural problems, especially for the indigenous people already occupying these lands. But the laws also accelerated the destruction of Oregon’s forests by encouraging clearcutting to make way for homesteads, towns, roads, farms, and orchards.
The state’s first conservation efforts did not begin until the last decade of the 19th century with the establishment of several forest reserves. Oregon’s first national park, Crater Lake, followed in 1902 and included the federal government prohibiting any further homesteading in the forests around the lake. But these early laws had little effect on the large-scale clear cutting of forests for the timber industry. Conservation efforts to control deforestation accelerated through the 1920s and 1930s, but most of the damage had already been done. Today, it is estimated that less than 10% of Oregon’s original old growth forest still remains.
That changed in the 19th century when European-Americans began to settle in Oregon in great numbers. Spurred on by federal laws like the Homestead Act of 1862, pioneering Americans were promised free land as long as they utilized it for agriculture or timber production. Such laws created plenty of social, political, and cultural problems, especially for the indigenous people already occupying these lands. But the laws also accelerated the destruction of Oregon’s forests by encouraging clearcutting to make way for homesteads, towns, roads, farms, and orchards.
The state’s first conservation efforts did not begin until the last decade of the 19th century with the establishment of several forest reserves. Oregon’s first national park, Crater Lake, followed in 1902 and included the federal government prohibiting any further homesteading in the forests around the lake. But these early laws had little effect on the large-scale clear cutting of forests for the timber industry. Conservation efforts to control deforestation accelerated through the 1920s and 1930s, but most of the damage had already been done. Today, it is estimated that less than 10% of Oregon’s original old growth forest still remains.
Managing the Land
According to the Oregon Forest Resources Institute, about 40 million seedlings are planted every year to help replenish the trees removed by the timber industry. According to the institute statistics for 2022, this mean five trees are planted for every one that is harvested. It is important to note that many of these seedlings do not reach maturity due to being eaten by wildlife (deer love to munch on young trees), disease, fire, weather conditions, or just a failure to thrive. The three-to-one ratio is intended to help offset the trees that will never make it to maturity.
Environmentalists will also note that simple replanting for the purpose of timber harvesting does little or nothing to replace the biodiversity (the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem) that keeps Oregon’s forests healthy. After all, a forest is more than trees. It is a complex system of organisms exchanging nutrients and energy which impacts the overall biological health of the state. The loss of our forests also removes one of the best, natural measures to countering carbon in our atmosphere, the main source of climate change.
Despite improvement, it’s clear that more conservation is needed. According to a 2015 report, over half a million acres of Oregon’s forested land have been lost to clear cutting since 2000, despite stronger laws and replanting efforts.
Environmentalists will also note that simple replanting for the purpose of timber harvesting does little or nothing to replace the biodiversity (the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem) that keeps Oregon’s forests healthy. After all, a forest is more than trees. It is a complex system of organisms exchanging nutrients and energy which impacts the overall biological health of the state. The loss of our forests also removes one of the best, natural measures to countering carbon in our atmosphere, the main source of climate change.
Despite improvement, it’s clear that more conservation is needed. According to a 2015 report, over half a million acres of Oregon’s forested land have been lost to clear cutting since 2000, despite stronger laws and replanting efforts.
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How You Can Help Oregon's Forests
What can you do to help keep Oregon’s forests growing and protect their biological diversity?
Tree planting is a major part of Oregon’s sustainable forest strategy. Most of these activities take place during the winter months when the prolonged rainfall and cooler temperatures give the seedlings the best chance to survive the shock of replanting. But there are other activities available to the public as well, including many citizen science projects. Organizations like Oregon Forest Resources Institute have educational resources that can connect you to reforestation projects.
The videos above feature a tree planting organized by Starker Forests in early 2020. Starker Forests was established in 1971 and is headquartered in Corvallis. Public tree plantings have been organized by the company for years to help reclaim parts of the 87,000 acres of forestland they own in Benton, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Polk counties. Aside from lumber production, these areas can also be used for recreational purposes, although permitting may be required in some cases.
Tree planting is a major part of Oregon’s sustainable forest strategy. Most of these activities take place during the winter months when the prolonged rainfall and cooler temperatures give the seedlings the best chance to survive the shock of replanting. But there are other activities available to the public as well, including many citizen science projects. Organizations like Oregon Forest Resources Institute have educational resources that can connect you to reforestation projects.
The videos above feature a tree planting organized by Starker Forests in early 2020. Starker Forests was established in 1971 and is headquartered in Corvallis. Public tree plantings have been organized by the company for years to help reclaim parts of the 87,000 acres of forestland they own in Benton, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Polk counties. Aside from lumber production, these areas can also be used for recreational purposes, although permitting may be required in some cases.