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Photo by Norma Kline<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Christiansen and her colleagues started to notice a possible trend and decided it was time to do a needs assessment in order to identify who is planting redwoods and why. She, along with OSU Extension forestry specialists Dan Stark, Norma Kline, Dave Shaw, Lauren Grand, Glenn Ahrens, Steve Fitzgerald and Jon Souder, formed a Growing Redwoods Group and plan a survey in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once they collect information, the foresters will determine where to put energy as they work with landowners. Christiansen stressed that the group is responding to the needs of a growing number of Oregonians interested in redwoods, not promoting the planting of this species outside its native range in Oregon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
After the survey is completed, the Growing Redwoods Group plans to hold a symposium for Extension forestry faculty and partners to learn about the tree from people who work in various aspects of forestry, including forest health, ecology and fire issues.\u00a0\u201cFrom that point, we will bring the information back to landowners,\u201d Christiansen said. \u201cOur end goal is for people to understand the pros and cons to growing it. It\u2019s a very cool tree, but there\u2019s a lot to think of if you\u2019re going to grow them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Redwoods, which are native from the central California coast up to just a bit over the Oregon border, can grow taller than a soaring 350 feet. Very few in the forestry industry grow redwoods outside their native range, but there are some who planted them many years ago and are still waiting for the trees to grow large enough to harvest. It\u2019s not a fast process, Christiansen said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But in their native habitat, redwoods grow four to five feet a year. The trees thrive near the ocean, where they take in moisture from the fog in their upper canopy. Because water is so important, they don\u2019t grow as fast inland or get as tall unless planted in a homeowner\u2019s landscape where they get supplemental irrigation. Homeowners should think carefully before planting redwoods near homes, roads and septic tank as they can become a nuisance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not only that, whoever is growing them has to be sure there\u2019s a mill close enough that\u2019s equipped to handle redwoods. She knows of only one and it\u2019s in southern Oregon, a long way from most people who would \u2013 or already are \u2013 growing them. \u201cIf you\u2019re not in it for the money and have the right site, it\u2019s a nice thing,\u201d Christiansen said. \u201cIf you\u2019re looking for profit for you or your heirs, it depends on when you\u2019ll be able to harvest and how you\u2019ll get it to a mill. That all adds up. They\u2019re not going to waste all those acres of wood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An easy-to-grow tree with few pest or disease issues, redwoods are very profitable if grown near a mill, Christiansen said. More profitable than Oregon\u2019s Douglas-fir, redwood is highly valued for its color and ability to wear well, which is why it\u2019s so often the choice for outdoor decks, arbors and other structures. As beautiful and profitable as they are, redwoods are non-native to most of the state, which brings up the question of what kind of impact it might have on the ecology where they are planted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny time you\u2019re growing a tree of any species outside of its native range there\u2019s always some unknowns about what kind ecological impact it will have,\u201d Christiansen said. \u201cIf a landowner transfers to redwoods from Doug-fir, we don\u2019t know the survivability of the species or impact the site.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many questions remain, and the group is anxious to start doing case studies, especially of private landowners who have been growing redwoods for 20 or 30 years. There\u2019s a lot to be learned. \u201cIt is a really pretty tree,\u201d Christiansen said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of appeal about growing redwoods. It\u2019s an emotional thing. It\u2019s not hard to see why someone would want to grow them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you planted\u00a0coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens<\/em>) and\/or giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum<\/em>) on a forest\u00a0or woodland you own or manage? Are you interested in more information on growing and managing these species in Oregon? OSU Forestry and Natural Resources Extension is developing a resources guide to help landowners and managers determine suitability and understand a range of management considerations for coast redwood and giant sequoia.\u00a0We want to know what your interests are, or experience has been, in planting and growing either or both of these species. Please take a few moments to take the redwoods survey to help us understand your needs. This is an anonymous survey and therefore no personal information will be requested or tracked. If you know of someone in Oregon who might be interested in coast redwood and giant sequoia, please feel free to share this survey with them! You have until Friday, March 26<\/strong> to complete the survey. There are many factors for landowners and land managers in Oregon to consider prior to planting these species. We really appreciate your help letting us know what is most important to you! Take the survey: here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Article by Kym Pokorny, Public Service Communications Specialist. Story Source: Alicia Christiansen, Forestry & Natural Resources CORVALLIS, Ore. \u2013 The majestic redwood tree \u2013 iconic to California\u2019s northern coast \u2013 is becoming more prevalent in Oregon. \u201cWe have landowners in … Continue reading