Eastern Oregon grassland with encroaching Western juniper. Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Agriculture. Dan Hillburn, administrator of the Oregon Department of Agriculture Plant Division, blogged on Saturday about the dilemma posed by Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) choking out grassland habitat in Eastern Oregon. As he explains, these trees are native, but the Native Americans […]
Study: Climate change reshaping Northwest forests
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As you drive around the Pacific Northwest or other regions, have you ever noticed that the makeup of the forest changes when you drive from region to region, gain or lose elevation, or cross over a mountain pass? This phenomenon is real, and it happens due to microclimates. Scientists at three Northwest universities took this […]
Shady trees discourage shady characters
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We in the nursery industry know that “trees are the answer.” Here is another piece of evidence. Researchers with the U.S. Forest Service did a study in Portland, Ore. and found that homes with large street trees out front have a lower incidence of crime. From the abstract of the study: The authors estimate the […]
Early registrations due May 15 for the 2010 Oregon Urban and Community Forestry Conference
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Early registrations are now being accepted for the 2010 Oregon Urban and Community Forestry Conference, titled ”From Seed to City: The Journey of an Urban Tree”. The two-day conference will take place June 2 at J. Frank Schmidt & Sons Inc. nursery in Boring, Ore., and June 3 at The Oregon Garden Resort, Silverton, Ore. […]
‘Tree appreciation’ gets a new definition
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Many of us appreciate trees, in the sense that we recognize the positive attributes they can provide. They create shade, block the wind, prevent erosion, provide habitat and beautify the environment, among many other benefits. Now we are beginning to see a different kind of “tree appreciation,” however – one that documents trees as a […]
Urban forestry conference is accepting speaker proposals
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The committee that is planning the 2010 Oregon Urban and Community Forestry Conference is inviting potential speakers to submit a presentation proposal for possible inclusion in the conference program. The conference will be presented June 2-3, 2010 by the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Community Trees, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service. On […]
California closing its only reforestation nursery
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California’s state budget crisis has claimed another victim: the state’s only publicly-owned reforestation nursery. It will be closed due to budget shortfalls. (Via Capital Press (Salem, Ore.).)
Federal program compensates farmers for conservation easements
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In Oregon, applications are now being accepted for the federal Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP), which protects productive agricultural lands against being converted to other uses. The program is offered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. In Oregon, applications must be turned in no later than Feb. 1, 2010 to be considered […]
Company aggregates forestlands to sell carbon credits
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Although this story was broadcast on public radio in Seattle, it concerns a Salem-area company that just signed its first agreement with a tree farm to sell carbon credits. Expect to hear more and more about this issue in the coming months and years – and don’t be surprised if it turns out to be a […]