Growing a Healthy Forest

A Healthy Forest is characterized by vigorous trees that are resistant to disease, insect infestation, and animal damage. They are spaced far enough apart to allow sunlight to reach plants on the ground and are comprised of a diversity of species. Woody material on the ground is scattered rather than piled.

Tips For a Healthy Forest

By maintaining a diversity of trees appropriate to the site, you will encourage the overall health of your forest. Tree species should be selected for the soil conditions and climate of your land. New trees will have a higher survival rate if fenced to prevent foraging. The removal of competitive vegetation from a three foot or greater diameter around saplings will also improve their survival rate.

Thinning trees will improve the growth, health and vigor of your forest. While reducing the loss of trees due to pathogens, thinning will allow more light, water and nutrients for the remaining trees. In turn, thinning will also increase forage for livestock and wildlife. Thinning is the opportunity to encourage species diversity and improve resistance to wildfire. Heavy accumulations of downed material should be disposed of to reduce fire hazards.

The largest and healthiest trees should be left as seed stock for future trees. Snags, or standing dead trees, should be left except where they pose a risk to falling on a house or other valuable areas. Large logs and a few brush piles should be retained to provide habitat for predators and facilitate for- est nutrient cycling.

Access roads should be located away from streams. Cut slopes should be reseeded promptly to reduce erosion, water pollution and weed infestations. Continuously grazing livestock on forest land will compact soils and damage trees.

Forest Insects & Diseases of Oregon

Some of the most prevalent threats to trees in SW Oregon include bark beetle and wood borer, dwarf mistletoe, and other diseases related to stress.

Help In Managing Your Forest

Private forestry consultants can help you conduct inventories, set up timber sales and help you achieve your forest management goals. Some consultants have multi-resource specialists on staff. They are usually well versed in federal and state cost-share programs, laws and regulations. A directory of consultants is available from the Oregon Department of Forestry. Additionally, the Oregon Department of Forestry offers both technical assistance and financial programs for forest landowners.

Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center offers landowner assistance and training in conjunction with the Small Woodland Owners Association.

The USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service provides technical and financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Farm Services Agency provides assistance for Riparian Buffers through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

The Southwest Oregon Resource Conservation and Development Council has an excellent publication “2005 Forest Landowner Resource Guide” detailing the resources available to forest landowners. Best Management Practices, including harvesting, thinning, brush and weed control, and erosion control allow for healthy forests. Growing a Healthy Forest A Healthy Forest is characterized by vigorous trees that are resistant to disease, insect infestation, and animal damage. They are spaced far enough apart to allow sunlight to reach plants on the ground and are comprised of a diversity of species. Woody material on the ground is scattered rather than piled.