Oregon Department of Forestry

The Board of Forestry is meeting tomorrow at Salem headquarters. View the agenda, sign up for public comment, review the board packet, or watch the livestream at tiny.cc/orboardofforestry.

Today marks 55 years since the first Earth Day back in 1970. Since then, more than 100 species of trees around the world have gone extinct. Botanists estimate that about 17,000 more are growing rarer and in danger of becoming extinct. Key causes are clearing for agriculture, unregulated logging, competition from invasive pests and diseases, and development pressure as cities and tourist resorts expand. More intense droughts, floods, and wildfires worsened by climate change are also contributing to tougher times for the world's trees. Southern Oregon shares with Northern California two tree species listed as endangered (coastal redwood) or vulnerable to extinction (Baker cypress). Read more about trees at risk at https://ow.ly/hVXi50VtA92

With Wildfire Awareness Month and fire season right around the corner, now is the best time to prepare your home and property against wildfire. Cleaning up your property by removing dead or dying vegetation can protect not just yourself in the event of a wildfire, but your neighbors too. If you are going to burn debris to dispose of vegetation, watch the video below to do so responsibly and help #keeporegongreen.

On Volunteer Recognition Day, ODF would like to thank all the wonderful volunteers whose time and dedication make Oregon’s forest better for everyone. ODF is grateful for your support in: • Trail Maintenance • Camp Hosting • Advisory Committees • Tillamook Forest Center • Forest History Center You all make a difference! A special thanks to the following groups who help keep our state forest trails in great shape: Trailkeepers of Oregon, Northwest Trail Alliance, Westside Trail Federation, SOLVE, Blackrock Mountain Bike Association, Oregon Equestrian Trails, Flat Broke and 4-Wheelin', Mount Baber ATV Club, Lobos Motorcycle Club, Mount Scott Motorcycle Club, Salem Area Trail Alliance, Piston’s Wild 4x4 Club, Cascade Cruisers 4x4 Club, and Jolly Jeepers 4-Wheel Drive Club. For more information on volunteering see: https://lnkd.in/gEPSfQUe

More and more Oregonians are interested in growing trees at home for food. Big yards for large fruit and nut trees are getting harder to find as the cities densify. One solution is to look for smaller fruit-bearing trees. One often overlooked tree is quince. A member of the rose family, quince hails from Central Asia, and lands south and west of the Caspian Sea. Growing 10-15' tall (occasionally to 20') it produces large yellow fruits. Quince are self-fertile, so even a lone tree will bear fruit. In northern states like Oregon, these are usually astringent when first ripe, so are typically made into jams or jellies. The flavor is described as citrus-like, with a pleasant floral smell. Quince suckers readily. Cut these down to avoid creating a thicket.

Starting today through 5 p.m. June 3, Oregonians can weigh in on draft Annual Operations Plans for state forests. To learn more and to make your public comment go to: https://lnkd.in/gZZhBAJB

Douglas-fir growth can be seriously slowed to uneconomic levels by the fungal disease Swiss needle cast. Landowners growing Doug fir in an area with a high disease incidence should consider replanting after their next harvest with other tree species that don't get the disease. Examples include western hemlock, western redcedar, grand fir, incense cedar, or root-rot resistant Port Orford cedar. In areas with only moderate infection, landowners may want to replant with seed from Douglas-fir trees that better tolerate Swiss needle cast. Find more on this topic at https://lnkd.in/gc_MfVw8 Photo credit: P. Kapitola, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org

Stay up to date on what’s happening in Oregon’s forests by subscribing to receive email updates. You can choose the topics that matter most to you like wildfire news, forest health, recreation and more! Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gXvzZM2G

Gladstone in Clackamas County has joined 69 other Oregon cities to become the state's newest Tree City USA. ODF administers this national Arbor Day Foundation program in Oregon. To earn the designation, a city or town must: • Maintain a tree board or department • Have a community tree ordinance • Spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry • Celebrate Arbor Day each year With about 12,000 residents, Gladstone has 14 parks and trails within its four square miles. It is also one of three dozen Oregon communities with a Hiroshima peace tree. That tree, a ginkgo, is planted in Gladstone Nature Park.

This National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, ODF is thankful for to the dedicated professionals who bring calm, clarity, and coordination to challenging moments. These unseen heroes provide critical support and dispatching help when Oregonians need it most. Thank you for your service!