 The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is committed to managing state forests to provide the Greatest Permanent Value including economic, environmental, and social benefits. This social component includes recreational opportunities, which provide personal health benefits, such as relaxation, rejuvenation, and connection. To preserve this ability to improve your health and wellness, the landscape must remain healthy and adapt to changes. Trees surrounding the Tillamook Forest Center (TFC) are adversely impacted due to offsite seed sources planted after the Tillamook Burn, and we must take necessary steps to maintain a healthy, hardy landscape for the benefit of current and future generations of visitors.
A 2024 TFC forest health review by Gabi Ritokova (ODF Pathologist) and Christine Buhl (ODF Entomologist), revealed evidence of root disease, drought stress, and some evidence of opportunistic native Douglas-fir and fir engraver beetles finishing off these damaged trees. Efforts to remove affected trees and replace them with more disease and drought-tolerant options can prevent the further spread of both diseases and insect pests to surrounding trees.
Following the scientific evidence provided by these experts in their field, the TFC is working with several districts and associates to mitigate the danger, provide training opportunities, and showcase the diverse work of the agency. Those involved include the ODF Forest Grove fuels reduction crew, ODF South Fork Forest Camp, ODF Tillamook reforestation and recreation teams, and ODF retirees Bob Teran and Joe Travers, who are providing initial remediation of hazardous trees, a future reforestation effort, and a localized Forest Management Plan.
Completed at the end of February, 60 diseased trees were felled by crews led by Collin Neys (ODF Forest Management Technician) and Peter Kaiser (Wildland Fire Supervisor) while ODF biologists Micheal Davis and Matt Aberle of Salem, were in attendance to ensure integrity of possible wildlife habitat. South Fork adults in custody have been working with crew boss Scott Jewel to remove logs which will be utilized for firewood at nearby Jones Creek Campground. Next, we’ll be working with Trever Madison (Tillamook Reforestation Unit), who’ll be providing native trees, not typically bothered by the fir engraver beetle, for the Arbor Month Tree Planting event in April. This project highlights the incredible talent and diverse work of the agency, and we are grateful for the collaboration.
To learn more about these beetles visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLG7O499UGo
https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Documents/forestbenefits/Douglas-fir-beetle.pdf
To celebrate Arbor Month, join the tree planting event, and to learn more about this project and other opportunities check out the Center’s program calendar.
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