Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been detected in three new counties. Affected counties include Washington, Yamhill, Marion and Clackamas. Tree materials of ash, olive, and white fringe tree must remain within the quarantine area. While this infestation is still distant from Coos and Curry Counties, it’s important to observe and report any symptoms that you see on Oregon Ash. These include crown dieback, D-shaped emergence holes, sucker shoots emerging from the trunk, S-shaped galleries under the bark, bark splitting on trunk or branches, woodpecker activity, tree dying from top down. Read more about the quarantine area and see photos of symptoms here.

Scott Leavengood, a professor, extension specialist, and director of the Wood Innovation Center (OWIC), has a history of exploring innovative wood products. His previous research includes working with species such as western juniper and hybrid poplar. As the director of OWIC, Scott links research and education with the needs of Oregon wood product firms. He also assists entrepreneurs with market assessments and product testing.

With this background, it is no surprise that Scott’s latest exploration involves a prickly problem on the south coast: gorse. Scott, along with two summer interns, visited the south coast this summer to collect gorse material, which was then processed and formed into test panels. So far, a number of tests are being conducted to determine hardness, durability, water absorption, and internal bond strength. While gorse composite panels are not likely appropriate for structural purposes, they might be useful as decorative panels.

If you are interested in reading more about gorse composite panel processing and testing, check out the website here.

By Norma Kline, OSU Extension Forester for Coos and Curry Counties

This is the third article in the Writing a Forest Management Plan series. The objective of this series is to break the process of writing a forest management plan into simple steps intended to make it accessible and straightforward, regardless of your previous skills and knowledge. If you already have a management plan, use these steps to help review and update it.

The first article covers how to get a quick start on your management plan by using the online Landmapper tool to generate basic property information and maps. The second article details how to map forest cover (stands) based on stand age and species. Delineating forest stands will help landowners efficiently monitor their woodlands and plan for future actions. Links to the first two articles are provided at the end of this article.

In this article, we will describe how to take simple plot measurements to estimate diameter, height, and trees per acre. The Current Stand & Forest Health Conditions section in the Forest Management Plan template includes a Stand Characteristics table with space to enter age, diameter class, height, spacing, and tree species. It’s important to note that the forest management planning process does not require landowners to include a forest inventory or timber cruise for their property, although these might be desirable for other reasons based on your management objectives.

If you are interested in getting out on your property and learning a few basic measurement techniques, taking basic inventory plots is an activity that you and your family can accomplish with relatively inexpensive forestry tools. During this process, you may gain increased familiarity with your woodland, discovering interesting new features such as old roads, wildlife, or forest health issues. Alternatively, you may decide that hiring a forestry professional to conduct a forest inventory is the right choice for you.

The most common method used to gather forest inventory information is by measuring plots across each area of interest (a timber unit or stand). For the purposes of developing a management plan, we will focus on the process of taking simple fixed plots for a general forest inventory. You may have heard the terms “inventory” and “cruising” in the context of collecting tree measurement information. Forest inventory typically refers to taking forest measurements to gain a general understanding of the tree cover on a property. The number of plots per stand and the measurements included in an inventory will depend on the landowner’s objectives and how they intend to use the information.

On the other hand, a timber cruise is typically used to determine the volume of merchantable timber in a specific area, such as for a planned timber sale, or across an entire property to assess the value of an estate. The desired accuracy of a timber cruise is generally higher than that of an inventory and would typically involve more plots.

The objective of our forest inventory described here will be to obtain general information for each mapped stand. The number of plots you measure will depend on how you intend to use the information as well as how much energy and time you have. A common inventory design for landowners interested in getting an idea of stand density and general stand volume would be to measure between 15 to 30 plots per stand: 15 plots in a fairly uniform stand and 30 plots in a stand with a fair amount of variability. If this seems like more plots than you have time to measure and your main intent is to obtain a more general description of the stand, then measure at least one plot for every 10 acres with a minimum of 3 plots.

The next step is to determine the location of your plots and the measurement information you will collect. A systematic approach to taking plots is recommended to help prevent bias in sampling. Take your map of delineated stands and draw a grid on each stand. Figure 1 is an example of a simple inventory design created in CalTopo, which is a free online mapping platform. A grid of evenly spaced inventory lines was established to help position plots systematically. The inventory lines cross topographic features to ensure that plots are located on a variety of slope positions. Trees growing near rocky ridges tend to be smaller than those growing near a stream or bench area. Thus, for an unbiased sample, do not orient inventory lines along creeks or ridges.

Figure 1 was generated as a geospatial PDF in CalTopo for use on a handheld mapping app such as Avenza, which can be used to navigate to the plot center. Alternatively, the map can be printed and used along with a compass to navigate along the inventory lines. Another approach is to use a ruler to draw an inventory grid on a printed map. In the field, distances on the ground can be measured with a tape, paced (counting your steps), or by using an electronic rangefinder. Just remember that the distances between plots on the map are horizontal. Use a compass to take the bearings of the inventory lines. Even if you are using a smartphone for plot location, it’s always a good idea to carry a printed map and compass in the field.

Plot size will depend on how widely the trees are spaced. Choose a plot size that allows you to count an average of 5 to 10 trees per plot. Use the same plot size throughout an entire stand. Typical plot sizes are listed in Table 1. A good place to start is a 1/20-acre plot, which has a plot radius of 26 feet and 4 inches (see Table 1). You can test this out in a typical area of your stand by setting up a few preliminary plots to determine the number of trees per plot. If your average tree count exceeds 10 trees per plot, you might consider reducing the plot size.

It’s a good idea to establish a routine for collecting and measuring plot information. Once you locate the center of each plot, tie a piece of flagging to a stick placed in the ground. Measurements will be easier if you have a helper to hold the end of the tape over the plot center. Measure to the edge of the plot, making sure to keep the tape horizontal. Record the species, diameter, and height of each tree that falls within the plot. For trees that lie on the edge, estimate the center of the tree; if the center is outside the plot radius, it should not be measured (see Figure 2). Start recording trees from the same cardinal direction for each plot and work clockwise until you return to the starting point. You can also tie a piece of flagging at the starting point.

While there are several tools that can be used to measure the diameter and height of trees in your plot, an inexpensive woodland stick (also called a Biltmore stick) is a relatively simple way to get started. A cloth tape or a logger’s tape can be used to measure 100 feet from your reference tree, as well as the plot radius and the distance between plots.

To measure tree heights, stand 100 feet from the tree and hold the stick straight at 25 inches from your eye (see Figure 3). Height measurements will be more accurate on flat ground. For tree diameters, hold the stick 4.5 feet from the ground; this is known as diameter at breast height (DBH) (see Figure 4).

The live crown ratio of each tree is also important to note. This can be estimated (see Figure 5). Another piece of data to consider is the age of the trees. Most small woodland owners estimate the age of a stand using historical records or by counting rings on recently cut stumps, if present. Tree spacing, the average distance between trees, may also be of interest to you. Take some quick distance measurements between trees and record that information as well.

Other stand characteristics of interest include whether the stand has distinct layers of trees. For example, is there a primary layer of overstory trees with an understory (often composed of more shade-tolerant species)? This will be important if your objective is to develop or maintain wildlife habitat. Additionally, take note of any down logs and snags (dead trees). Your inventory data does not have to focus solely on living trees; knowing if you have other elements valuable for wildlife may also be useful.

Record your plot information in a weather-resistant field notebook. There are many options for field notebooks available from forestry supply companies. Write in the stand number, plot number, and column headings for the data you intend to measure (see Figure 6). It’s a good idea to attach your notebook to a field vest or jacket with a cord—you don’t want to lose your data!

As you navigate from plot to plot, take note of any forest health concerns, invasive plants, or unusual features that you find. These can be recorded in your field notebook, marked on your map, or noted using a mapping app on a smartphone to drop a pin, take notes, and even attach a photo.

The Basic Forest Inventory Techniques for Family Forest Owners (link below) is a useful resource if you would like to read more about designing an inventory.

In the next article, we will cover how to use the data you have collected to make some simple calculations.

References

Writing a Forest Management Plan: Start with the Easy Sections. https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/southcoastfieldforest/2024/02/15/writing-a-forest-management-plan-start-with-the-easy-sections/

Writing a Forest Management Plan: Mapping Stands.

Oregon Forest Management Plan Template and Guidance. https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/forestplanning/templates/

Land Mapper. Automated and easy, produces many of the plan maps. https://landmapper.ecotrust.org/

Basic Forest Inventory Techniques for Family Forest Owners. https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/basic-forest-inventory-techniques-for-family-forest-owners

Avenza. https://store.avenza.com/

CalTopo. https://caltopo.com

Myrtle defoliation caused by a plant pathogen, Calonectria californiensis, has been observed in Coos and Curry Counties. Defoliation starts at the bottom of the tree and proceeds upward. Defoliation can be significant, affecting 80% of the tree.

Leaf symptoms include tan colored spots and blotches surrounded by dark brown margins. Once infested, the leaves can drop off the tree quickly.

Many Oregon-myrtle trees affected by the pathogen appear to have new foliage growth which is very promising. We are in the process of developing a data sheet where interested landowners can help us monitor the health and environmental settings of their myrtles. At this point, unless a tree poses a particular hazard, we suggest that landowners take a wait-and-see approach to tree health recovery. Once we gather sufficient information, we plan to develop a fact sheet. Calonectria californiensis may also affect other native trees and shrubs such as salal, mock orange, Oregon grape, native rhododendrons and tanoak.  Calonectria IS NOT the same pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death in Curry County.

Oregon-myrtle identification. Oregon-myrtle (Umbellularia californica) goes by several common names: Oregon-myrtle, bay laurel, California-laurel, California bay, pepperwood. They are all the same tree! Oregon-myrtle is a broadleaf evergreen tree with highly aromatic thick and leathery leaves. The small, greenish fruit are less than 1 inch long.

Are you interested in participating in the Oregon-myrtle monitoring project? Contact Norma Kline, OSU Extension Forester for Coos and Curry Counties. Norma.Kline@Oregonstate.edu

By Norma Kline, Extension Forester for Coos and Curry Counties

In the first article of the Writing a Forest Management Plan series (see link to article below), we discussed how to get started on your management plan. An easy way to gain momentum on a big project is to break it into segments. Fortunately, Oregon’s Forest Management Planning Template is organized into sections that facilitate this approach. The first section, Woodland Discovery, can be quickly addressed by using the online Landmapper tool to generate the basic property information and maps required for that section of the plan. In this article, we will discuss approaches for the next management plan section, Current Stand & Forest Health Conditions. This section will require decisions on how to delineate (map) the various vegetation types or stands on your property. How a woodland owner designates stands on their property is up to them. Woodland owners with small properties might decide to map the forest cover as one stand. Other properties might have a diverse array of age classes and species. Mapping out forest cover based on stand age and species will help landowners efficiently monitor their woodlands and plan for future needed actions. For example, we recommend monitoring recently reforested areas to help catch seedling survival problems early. Young stands should be assessed for pre-commercial thinning needs and older stands will be monitored for forest health concerns.

Some landowners might assess the forest cover across their property and see that it is fairly uniform in terms of age and species. In these instances, where there are no clear differences in forest types, consider if differences in topography and road access will require unique management approaches. For example, gently sloped areas can typically be logged with ground-based machinery while steep slopes would likely require a cable logging system. Other areas may have limited road access that constrains management. Topographic features can be identified using various online mapping platforms such as Google Earth and CalTopo or with paper USGS topographic maps.

Several approaches can be used to assess the forest cover on your property. The first step is to examine the available aerial imagery for your property. Figure 1 shows aerial imagery for a small woodland parcel near the coast. Let’s examine the imagery and determine if there are any obvious differences in forest cover. The first arrow points to a light green area of forest cover. This is a hardwood species, in this case red alder. The second and third arrows point to darker green areas of forest cover; these are conifer species. If you look closely at the differences between the conifer forest types in the second and third areas you may see that they have different textures. The second area has more shadows than the third area. In this case these shadows suggest a difference in tree sizes; the trees in area 2 have larger crowns than area 3. Using aerial imagery to assess forest types takes practice. The best approach is to take a map with imagery for your area out in the field and compare it to what you see on the ground. You can print out a map in color or use imagery available on a mapping app, such as the map program that comes with your phone or a mapping app such as Avenza that allows the user to view downloaded maps without cell service. 

Once you get a sense of how to interpret the different textures and colors on the aerial imagery you can practice delineating stands. Figure 2 is an example of one approach to drawing stands. In this example the landowner has decided to classify their stands based on the average size and dominant species of trees in the stand. Here, the tree size is coded as S, M, L (S- seedlings to small trees up to 11” diameter, M- trees 12-29” diameter, L –  trees 30” diameter and greater). Dominate species or species mixture are coded as: Douglas-fir (DF), mixed conifer (MC), red alder (RA), mixed hardwood (MH), and mixed conifer/ hardwood (MCH). This is just an example of an approach used by this landowner. You might want to classify your stands using more growth stages such as seedling, sapling, small tree, large trees.

Once the stands are mapped out, assign stand numbers or names to each stand. Whichever way you proceed, it’s a good idea to develop a table with an associated map to help you keep track of your stands.

Don’t be nervous about starting to draw your stands on a map. You can draw as many different scenarios as you want on paper printed maps or online. If you have access to a laminator, you can laminate a paper map and use dry erase pens to test out different scenarios. Google Earth Pro and Caltopo are free online mapping tools that can be used to draw and save stand polygons. There are several advantages of working digitally including the ease of editing polygons and the ability to download them to apps like Avenza for field verification. Another free mapping tool is Forest Planner; an easy-to-use drawing tool that allows users to quickly draw stand polygons that snap neatly to property boundaries and adjoining stands (Figure 3). One advantage of using Forest Planner is that the stand data is generated for each stand that you draw, including acres, aspect slope and elevation. This information can then be used to fill in the Current Stand & Forest Health Conditions form. A current disadvantage of Forest Planner is the inability to download the stand polygons to other programs.

You will notice that the Current Stand & Forest Health Conditions section has a table to fill in stand information including age, diameter class, height, spacing, and tree species. This can be a general estimation for each stand. The forest management planning process does not require landowners to include a forest inventory or timber cruise for their property. Although these might be desirable to obtain for other reasons based on your management objectives. Some landowners might decide to hire a forestry consultant to conduct a basic forest inventory. But if you are able and interested in getting out on your property and learning a few basic measurement approaches, this is something you and your family can consider doing on your own with relatively inexpensive forestry tools. By collecting your own information, you will become more familiar with your woodland. You may also observe forest health issues, old roads, other interesting features of your woodland. The next article in this series will discuss taking some simple plot measurements to estimate stand diameter, height and trees per acre.

References

Writing a Forest Management Plan: Start with the Easy Sections. https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/southcoastfieldforest/2024/02/15/writing-a-forest-management-plan-start-with-the-easy-sections/

Oregon Forest Management Plan Template and Guidance. https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/forestplanning/templates/

Land Mapper. Automated and easy, produces many of the plan maps. https://landmapper.ecotrust.org/

Forest Planner. http://forestplanner.ecotrust.org/

Google Earth Pro. https://www.google.com/earth/about/versions/

Avenza. https://store.avenza.com/

CalTopo. https://caltopo.com

As a small woodland owner, you likely already know about the benefits of developing a management plan. These include:

• Helping you and your heirs guide activities for your woodland.

• Increasing your knowledge and connection to your property.

• Helping you strategically develop actions to address your goals and objectives and avoid costly errors.

• A management plant is also required to receive some grants and funding for management activities.

There are several approaches to starting your management planning journey. Some woodland owners might choose to hire a consulting forester to do all or parts of their plan for them. There may be cost share funding available if you choose that route (see below for funding resources). Or you may want to start developing a plan on your own. Like any big project, it will seem more approachable if you break it up into segments.  Start with the easy sections first; you might be surprised with how easy it is to find property information using online tools. This method will help you build momentum and feel a sense of accomplishment. Here are some tips for getting started (links to the plan template and resources are at the end of this article):

• Download the management plan template and guidance document.
• Familiarize yourself with the parts of the plan.
• Read through the guidance document. This might seem like a lot of information to absorb. Use your skimming skills and get a general idea of what’s in the guidance document. You will be returning to these sections often.

There is a color-coded checklist at the beginning of the management plan template. This checklist breaks down the information that you need to gather for your plan into general categories starting with sections on Woodland Discovery, Current Stand & Forest Health Conditions, and Resources & Management Tools. The Woodland Discovery section asks for basic information describing your property along with maps and photos, followed by a list of your Goals & Actions. It’s a good idea to start the planning process by considering your goals.  Why do you own your property? What are your values and ownership goals? This can be a great way to get your family involved with the process. The My Stewardship Values questions (Figure 1) have been used in extension workshops for many years to help folks get started on this question of values. Your values provide the foundation for your goals and objectives. It’s not surprising that each landowner will have their own unique values, goals and objectives. Many landowners in Oregon have multiple reasons why they own their property. These might include the need for economic return as well as the enjoyment of amenity-based aspects of their property, like aesthetics and recreation or an interest in wildlife and conservation.

Let’s get started on the plan itself. After scanning the Woodland Discovery section you will notice that a number of maps are needed in the plan. Fortunately, recent developments in online mapping programs designed specifically for landowners have made map making surprisingly easy. Landmapper, a free mapping tool (link below), is an online tool that creates a number of maps automatically based on your selected tax lots. First zoom into the general area of your property, you can enter an address or manually zoom in. Select the taxlots that you would like to include in your management plan. Then press Next and a series of maps will be automatically generated. The first is a general map showing the property boundaries and aerial imagery. Basic property data is generated with this map, including acres, elevation range, and other details that will help you fill out the first section of your management plan. You will find additional maps including a vicinity map showing nearby roads, a topographic map, a hydrologic map showing streams along with their classifications, a soil type map, a forest community map, a tree diameter class map, a forest canopy cover map, and a forest density map.

All of these maps can help you describe your property. If you have explored this site in the past, you will find that the canopy cover map, the forest community map, the tree diameter class map and the forest canopy cover map are all recent additions which are based on classifications through remote sensing via satellite or aircraft. Go ahead and take these maps out with you on the property and see how they line up with what you see on the ground. I will cover how to tackle additional sections of the forest management template in upcoming articles.

Links to Management Planning Resources

Download Forest Management Plan Template and Guidelines here:

Land Mapper. Automated and easy, produces many of the plan maps. https://landmapper.ecotrust.org/

Funding Resources:

Oregon Department of Forestry: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/aboutodf/pages/grantsincentives.aspx

Natural Resource Conservation Service: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/land/forests

By Lauren Grand, OSU Extension Forestry, Lane County

Adapted from the workshop Planning your year on the Forest presented by Matt Fehrenbacher, Trout Mountain Forestry, and Steve and Wylda Cafferata, Master Woodland Managers.

Workshop recording can be found here: https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/1_xu7wq2g5

If you manage a woodland or forest, management planning is an essential tool. For small woodland owners we tend to focus on long-term management plans. However, these plans don’t usually reach the level of detail that a forest manager might need to determine the exact activities they would plan on a yearly basis. That usually requires an annual plan. Let’s look a little deeper into why you’d want both a management plan and an annual plan, and what each of those entail.

The term “management planning” usually refers to a longer-term management plan, usually on the horizon of 10 years or so. These are like a corporate strategic plan. They establish a framework for your property that establishes your long-term goals and objectives and usually include ideas and buy-in from family, partners, consultants, etc. These plans are incredibly important because they help you to:

• Focus your thinking about management and identify opportunities
• Increase your engagement with your land
• Clarify your values and approach to ownership and management
• Document the baseline conditions of your forest
• Save time and money by avoiding costly mistakes
• Communicate with others who use the property or who may be caring for it in the future – like family
• Opens the doors to financial assistance and sustainability certification opportunities.

Figure 1. Sample small landowner annual plan written in the narrative form. Developed by Matt Fehrenbacher, Trout Mountain Forestry

Annual plans, however, are more similar to tactical plans. They use the strategy or goals and objectives that are identified in the long-term plan to guide the more specific activities that will be accomplished in the calendar year. Annual plans should include more detailed timelines, specific activities, budgets, and maps of treatment areas. These plans are usually developed by the focused decision makers and the day-to-day managers of the property. 

Developing these plans is all about timing! You’ll need to consider the activities you want to do in relation to markets, weather, operator availability, plant biology, personal activities, and your finances. For example, if you are considering a thinning operation you’ll want to think about

• Market – are trees in demand and fetching higher prices, or is there too much inventory pushing prices down
• Weather – are your roads accessible in rain or snow; are you concerned about the potential of working in the depths of fire season.
• Operator availability – most loggers are busy in the summer and small jobs are less attractive to them
• Biology – sap is running in the spring and thinning can cause bark slippage on your remaining trees if there is logging damage. Are you thinning pine? Ips beetles fly in the spring and could be attracted to your property during the logging.
• Personal activities – maybe you are hosting a family reunion on the property and don’t want an operation to affect the festivities.
• Finances – do you need to build a road to access the trees to be thinned? Can you afford to build the road before the harvest income is received? 

Annual plans can also help you stay on task with your activities and avoid costly mistakes by linking operations that can save you money and time. For example, linking a harvest with road building. Road building is expensive, but if you are planning a harvest that can be done before, then you might have more liquid finances to pay for the road build. Or, if the contractor that is doing the road is also assisting with the logging, then you only have to pay the set-up costs once instead of twice. 

While annual plans only last a year, you’ll not only consider how they fit into your management strategy, but also how they mesh with last year’s activities and what you are planning for the next year. Remember to be realistic because these activities can sometimes take a while, and weather or fire seasons can be unpredictable. Use a priority rating to help you decide what really must happen and what can fall off the table and be considered for next year. Usually, lower priority activities are stand alone and higher priorities would lead to cascading changes or upsets if they do not happen.

Figure 2. Sample annual plan in the matrix format. Developed by Matt Fehrenbacher, Trout Mountain Forestry.

Annual plans can be organized as a matrix by month or as a narrative. With either style, a map of your proposed activities is always recommended. You’ll also want to include a budget that reflects the relative cost/income expectations. While you won’t be able to predict these exact numbers, estimates can help keep you on track and avoid making large financial risks.

The Goal of your annual plan is to optimize efficiency and effectiveness and get things done. It is all about timing!

For more details about timing and how seasonality affects various management activities watch our webinar! https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/1_xu7wq2g5

By Norma Kline, OSU Extension Forestry, Coos and Curry Counties.

Woodland owners in Oregon have a wide range of resources and assistance available to help them fulfill their management objectives. Because we have so many agencies and non-profits that provide assistance, knowing who to contact can be challenging. An excellent place to start is the Resources for Family Forestland Owners produced by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI), available here. This handy reference compiles the various family forest landowner associations, federal and state natural resources agencies, non-profits, and professional forestry service organizations. The 2023-24 edition is the most current version.

An additional resource for landowners in Coos and Curry Counties is the Contacts for Woodland Owners, a convenient compilation of local agency and non-profit contacts. This listing includes names, positions and phone numbers of natural resource professionals that cover our local area, available here.

While both of these references are handy to have at hand, it’s still not always apparent who to contact for a specific question. In the following paragraphs, you will find short descriptions of the various natural resource non-profits and agencies for our local area. If you would like to read more about them, reference the provided websites for more information.

Organizations that help with stream restoration and provide technical assistance.

Watershed associations are non-profit entities with boards of directors, experienced natural resource staff and long-term strategic plans. If you are interested in partnering with a local watershed association to restore salmon habitat on your property, consider contacting the watershed association that covers your ownership. These organizations may also be able to help with noxious priority weed control and have volunteer opportunities as well. The Coos Watershed Association, the Coquille Watershed Association, and the Curry Watersheds Partnership are all active watershed councils that write grants for watershed priority restoration projects. Read more about their past work and future goals on their respective websites.

Your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) can also help fund projects and provide technical assistance. These districts are non-regulatory agencies with board directors that are elected and hold terms of 4 years.  Your local SWCD can help out with soil and water conservations concerns on a farm or ranch. Projects include riparian enhancement and fish passage projects to name a few.

Another resource to consider is the Oregon Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). This program can help landowners protect riparian areas with fencing and restoration planting. CREP is a state and federal partnership that allows landowners to receive incentive payments from the USDA for establishing long-term riparian buffers. You can learn more and check your eligibility by contacting the local CREP technician.

Organizations that help with forest management planning and provide technical assistance.

We have a local Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) District office located in Coquille, the staff covers both Coos and Curry counties. This U.S. Department of Agriculture funded agency administers a number of funding programs for small woodland owners. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is one program that can help small woodland owners on a number of topics including funding for forest management plan writing and Gorse wildfire hazard mitigation.

Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) staff can help you navigate Oregon’s Forest Practice Act rules. Check the list to see who covers your area, staff include Stewardship Foresters and the new Small Forestland Owner (SFO) Forester as well as the Sudden Oak Death Program.

Another key resource is the Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA). You will want to check their website for fire restriction information and to see requirements for pile burning.

While not on the Contacts for Woodland Owners list, there are other key resources that provide services for woodland owners. These include consulting foresters and loggers. The Association of Consulting Foresters website and the Associated Oregon Loggers, Inc website are great resources to find those professionals. These links can be found in the OFRI Resources for Family Forestland Owners resource listed earlier.

An additional group that is very helpful for small woodland owners is the Oregon Small Woodland Association. This is a membership organization whose mission is to educate and inform small woodland owners on topics related to family forest management issues. Membership in this organization can be a great way to meet other landowners and learn about upcoming forestry topics.

Last but not least, OSU Extension Forestry and Natural Resources agents provide a myriad of educational opportunities including workshops, publications and technical assistance. If you are still unsure of the appropriate organization to contact to get help for your specific woodland management need, an OSU Extension Forester can assist you.

By Norma Kline, OSU Extension Forester for Coos and Curry Counties

Shore pine (Pinus contorta var. contorta), is a common and extremely hardy native tree of Oregon’s coast. Shore pine can occur in solid stands or in mixed stands along with Sitka spruce, Port-Orford-cedar, western hemlock and Douglas-fir. Shore pine is adapted to our long summer dry periods and rainy winters. The characteristic twisted growth form on rocky bluffs near the beach, attesting to its ability to withstand our harsh windy coastal weather (Figure 1). It may seem surprising that our coastal shore pine is a variant of the straight, tall lodgepole pine found throughout central and eastern Oregon. The scientific name of lodgepole is Pinus contorta while Shore pine is Pinus contorta var. contorta. You can confirm the two are very similar by taking a close look at the needles and cones. Both lodgepole and shore pine have needles in bundles of two, and small woody cones that are 1-2 inches long. These cones can remain closed for years. The bark is thin and flaky. While lodgepole pine is used for a number of commercial wood products, shore pine is mainly appreciated for its ecosystem function and beauty in the landscape.

Despite shore pines’ reputation for being a tough and hardy native conifer, it can still succumb to a number of common forest health issues. In the home landscape, a common stressor includes watering mature trees during the summer. This can occur if a lawn or garden has been developed around existing trees. Overwatering can cause a suitable environment for pathogens to infest the root system which eventually causes tree decline. On the other hand, a newly planted shore pine seedling will require periodic watering until it is established, see Selecting, Planting and Caring for a New Tree, in references below.

Shore pine is shade intolerant, in other words it does best in full sun. Shore pines that are overtopped or shaded by other trees will eventually become spindly and exhibit poor growth. Another hazard in home landscapes is root damage or compaction caused by trenching or road construction. Injury to limbs or the tree trunk (bole) through equipment damage or incorrect pruning can also create a route for insects or pathogens to gain entry. Avoid damaging the branch collar or tree trunk while pruning (Figure 2). Pruning should be completed from October to February. Pruning outside this time period can attract Sequoia pitch moth, which create unsightly globs of pitch on the tree trunk. For a comprehensive description of forest health considerations for shore pine, see Common Insect Pests and Diseases of Shore Pine on the Oregon Coast, in references below.

References

Selecting, Planting, and Caring for a New Tree: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec1438

Common Insect Pests and Diseases of Shore Pine on the Oregon Coast: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em9008

By Norma Kline, OSU Extension Forester for Coos and Curry Counties

If you live near Bandon, you are likely very familiar with gorse (Ulex europaeus), an introduced exotic weed from Europe. Gorse is thorny and extremely painful to walk through, making areas of your property inaccessible. While gorse plants start out small, they can grow to over 10 feet tall with stout woody stems. These monoculture thickets suppress native vegetation (Figure 1). And even worse, gorse is extremely flammable, making it a severe fire hazard. In 1936, gorse growing in the empty lots between buildings in Bandon helped fuel a fire that caused significant destruction to the town.