"He who plants a tree plants a hope." Lucy Larcom
Most woodland owners own fewer than 10 acres of forestland or woodlot. Many want to take care of the land and keep it productive for themselves and for future generations. This is what sustainable forestry is all about.
First, you must define those things that you want from your forested property. People own, plant and manage these properties for many reasons. Some reasons for managing the forest include:
While many owners do not expect to profit from their forest, earning forestland income is often compatible with most landowner objectives. For example, thinnings can increase forest health while producing an income. A well managed Douglas-fir plantation may produce a profit of between $500 and $1000 per acre from thinning at 15 to 20 years. This thinning will usually increase the growth of the remaining trees.
Managing a forest should include estate planning. Even if you do not plan to harvest your trees, their value will add to the value of your estate. For example, a 60-year-old Douglas-fir stand growing on moderately productive soils will net $21,000 per acre at a sale price averaging $600 per thousand board feet. Even 10 acres can be appraised at over a quarter million dollars.
In Oregon, we typically think of the forest as dominated by large conifer trees, usually Douglas-fir. Oregon’s forests, however, include more than conifers. Oak savanna, ash swales, black cottonwood swamps, and alder thickets might be the predominant species on your property. The factors that will influence what you can do with your forest include:
Your goals and objectives may need to be modified to mesh with your lands natural capabilities.
Caring for your land may include:
Whether planting a pasture, old field or clearcut, you need to consider the site, soils, and existing vegetation before you plant trees. Douglas Fir and most other coniferous species are often planted on a 10’ by 10’ spacing. This is just over 400 trees per acre and is more than twice the number of trees required for special property tax assessment. This higher density helps in the establishment of the trees, and provides for potential income opportunities.
Two to three years of work will be needed to establish newly planted seedlings. Site preparation and planting costs average $400 per acre. Costs can be much higher if the land has Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom, or other hard-to-control weeds.
Your site will determine what trees will grow and thrive. Site characteristics include soil type and drainage, the slope, aspect (direction the land slopes), elevation, and climate. For example, if you have a site with well-drained soils, Douglas Fir will grow well. On a drier, southwest slope, Valley Ponderosa Pine will do better than Douglas Fir. The following chart shows some of the characteristics of trees species native to the Willamette Valley.
| Tree Species | Shade Tolerance | Drainage | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas Fir | Requires nearly full sun | Requires well drained soils | Brush and grass control important in establishment |
| Grand Fir | Requires full sun but will regenerate in light shade | Can tolerate wetter soils than Douglas Fir | Grows best on deep, moist, well-drained soils |
| Western Red Cedar | Shade tolerant | Can tolerate wetter soils | Will not tolerate poorly drained clay soils; establishment may be difficult due to deer browse |
| Valley Ponderosa Pine | Requires full sun | Can tolerate wet heavy soils; can also tolerate soils with high shrink swell properties | Species was once commonly seen in Willamette Valley; in winter these trees will tolerate standing water |
| Oregon White Oak | Easier to establish in full sun | Can tolerate a wide range of soil types and conditions | Best and quickest growth can be obtained on deep, well-drained soils |
For more information about soils and descriptions of what might be expected to grow on them, see your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office.
Site preparation does several things, including:
Site preparation can be accomplished by broadcast burning, mechanical methods, or using herbicides. Fire is not usually an option for the small woodland owner due to the small property size and potential liability issues. Mechanical methods include the use of bulldozers with brush rakes and summer tilling and fallowing. Herbicides are often used in combination with fire and mechanical site preparation methods to further increase tree survival and growth.
Weed control after planting may be required to improve survival and increase growth. Generally, weed control is needed the first year after planting. Weed control increases the soil moisture and light available to the newly planted trees. While shade may cool the soil and air around the seedling, removal of the competing vegetation generally more than compensates for increased heat stress on the trees. The key points to know are:
If you have an established stand of trees, they may need to be thinned. Thinning is conducted to improve both the quality and value of the forest. The advantages of thinning include:
Thinning can be from below by removing the smaller, weaker trees or from above by removing larger trees thus releasing smaller trees. With either method, leave trees should have at least one-third to one-half of their total height in live crown.
Pruning and fertilization are other management activities you can do to manage your forest. Pruning improves the quality of the tree for future harvest. Fertilization can increase the growth and health of the trees.
In a Douglas Fir forest, the most common form of harvest is the clearcut. A clearcut usually provides the ample space and light needed for newly planted Douglas-fir seedlings. Other harvest methods, such as seed tree, shelterwood or thinnings, can be used to encourage other species or a mixed species forest. Prior to any harvest, match your harvest method to your objectives.
A well-planned system of trails and roads provides access for fire control, recreation and harvest. It also minimizes the impact to the remaining forest soils. Keep in mind the following when planning forest roads:
Oregon has one of the most comprehensive forest practices acts in the nation. This State law serves to protect Oregon’s forests. In summary:
The Forest Practice Act applies to every operation a private forest landowner conducts. Notify the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) of any forest management activity at least 15 days before beginning. You will need a map of your property showing the location of the management activity, and the legal description of the area. Forms are provided by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Failure to notify the Department may result in fines.
This fact sheet was produced by the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District and the Small Acreage Steering Committee. The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Association of Conservation Districts, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service funded the project. You may reproduce or copy any portion of these fact sheets for nonprofit and educational purposes by notifying the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District at (503) 681-0953. Please acknowledge this publication as the source.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.