Ken and Bonnie Miller are a fixture of sorts in the small forest owner community of Washington. They’ve been active in the Washington Farm Forestry Association for years, have hosted multiple WSU Extension events, and Ken is an active advocate for small forest owners in state natural resource policy. This passion for private forestry
If you are interested in hosting a virtual tree farm tour, please email Elaine Oneil, Executive Director, (eoneil@wafarmforestry.com) or Jon Matson, IT Consultant (jon@jkematson.org). This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the unique aspects of your tree farm and share what you think makes it "Cool to be a Tree Farmer"!
This past week I was fortunate to interview the two candidates running for the Commissioner of Public Lands office: the incumbent, Hilary Franz, and a Republican challenger, Sue Kuehl Pederson. The interview was conducted on our virtual platform with an audience of WFFA members. The discussion was directed specifically towards small forest landowner issues and was based on the nearly 50 questions submitted by members. Themes included fire, forest health, regulations, incentives, conversion, legislative priorities, partnerships, and community engagement. We couldn’t reach on all of the questions but managed to touch on all themes with both candidates for a robust discussion of their perspectives, plans, and goals should they be elected for the position. I think this was a fabulous way to assess both candidates. For those that weren’t able to attend our townhalls the recordings are now live. I do hope you avail yourself of the opportunity to learn more about the candidates running for this critically important statewide position and mail in your ballot by November 3.
Click HERE to view Sue Kuehl Pederson's townhall video.
Click HERE to view Hilary Franz's townhall video.
Elaine Oneil, PhD
Executive Director, Washington Farm Forestry Association
Megafires, wildfires over 100,000 acres, are currently burning our western landscape. How did we get here and what can be done about it? Dr. Paul Hessburg, research landscape ecologist for the US Forest Service, has spent the last 40 years learning about how we got here and what can be done about it. Watch the Era of Megafires film.
A few weeks ago, all traffic was stopped on the Golden Gate Bridge at the Nourse Tree Farm in north Snohomish County, so that Ken Bevis could sit on the guardrail and sing a song he wrote titled "True Bear". Ken is DNR’s stewardship wildlife biologist and a talented songwriter and artist. Enjoy this music video "True Bear" from Ken.
Credits: Recorded live on the Golden Gate Bridge at Nourse Tree Farm in north Snohomish County, WA; Music, lyrics and performance by Ken Bevis; Video recording by Brendan White and Dave New; Bear video clips and photos from wildlife cameras at Nourse Tree Farm; Video editing by Dave New
The Elmore-Vance Tree Farm, managed by Patty Vance, was recently named 2020 Washington State Tree Farmer of the Year by the Washington Tree Farm Program. Because the usual Awards Luncheon could not be held, an online presentation was made, featuring videos of them and of the two other nominees, the Five Point Lodge Tree Farm, managed by Mike Blais, and the Pomeroy Tree Farm, managed by Bob Brink and family. All three nominees are Washington Farm Forestry Association members and have properties worthy of an award.
The Elmore-Vance Tree Farm is located in eastern Lewis County, surrounded by U.S. Forest Service land. This video shows how Patty has managed the land that was purchased by her father and how she is involving younger members of her family so that it will be in the family for generations to come. For more information, read the press release and description of the tree farm.
The Five Point Lodge Tree Farm is located in Snohomish County and began in 1947 when a group joined together to obtain 320 acres. It is jointly owned by 6 families, with 290 acres in the tree farm.
Pomeroy Tree Farm in Clark County has been in the same family since 1910 and the 6th generation now lives on the property. In addition to growing trees, it also is a working farm where thousands of children have come to learn.
My trees have just been have been cut. What do I do next?
How many trees per acre should I plant on newly harvested land?
How do I find out how many trees per acre are growing on my land?
Why did my newly planted seedlings die?
Do I need to worry about insects attacking my trees?
My big trees are dying. Could it be from a disease?
Something is eating my young trees! What is it? What can I do about it?
Other plants are growing where I planted young seedlings. Do I need to do something about them?
How do I mix chemicals in my backpack sprayer?
How can I control weeds if I don't want to use chemicals?
I want to plant western red cedar on my land. Is it hard to get established?
I'd like to plant red alder instead of Douglas-fir. Should I do so?
My trees seem to be too close together. Should I cut some of them out? How do I know when to do it?
I think my trees are big enough to harvest. How do I find out about how to do it and who will do it?
These chapters were written by Bryon W. Loucks, retired forester and small forest landowner, who wanted to share his 50 years of experience with other small forest landowners who are interested in learning more about managing their forest land. They are focused on management of Douglas-fir in western Washington, but many of the chapters contain information that is useful with other species and in other locations. If you have questions or want to make comments, he can be contacted at bryonloucks@gmail.com
Chapter 3 - Soils
Chapter 6 - Tree Improvement Programs
Chapter 8 - Disease & Insect Damage
Chapter 12 - Marketing & Final Harvest Options
Chapter 13 - Growing Douglas Fir
Chapter 15 - Growing Westesrn Redcedar
Appendix: Samples of Contracts. Word versions are provided so you can modify them for your own use.
