500 years? Who has time for that? Accelerating forest succession with reforestation and the role of Port-Orford-cedar on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Abstract

Reforestation on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest on the Powers and Gold Beach Ranger Districts is driven by the need to accelerate the development of late successional habitat in stands less than 80 years old. Prior regeneration harvest emphasized clear-cutting with regeneration of Douglas-fir. Douglas-fir is not a shade tolerant species and will not regenerate naturally under canopy cover. Therefore, to develop a multilayered canopy, reforestation of shade-tolerant species like western hemlock, grand fir, and Port-Orford-cedar is needed. Multilayered canopies provide habitat for many species including the Northern flying squirrel, an important prey species of the Northern spotted owl. To promote long term success of Port-Orford-cedar and its contribution to the late-seral habitat, it is important to plant disease resistant seedlings for long-term success. There is a Port-Orford-cedar seed program at the Dorena genetics lab that produces Phytophthora lateralis-resistant Port- Orford-cedar seed. Container and bare root seedlings are grown at the JH Stone Nursery and planted in January/February each year.

Parent Publication

• Foundational concepts in silviculture with emphasis on reforestation and early stand improvement - 2022 National Silviculture Workshop

Citation

Schwindt, Kathryn. 2022. 500 years? Who has time for that? Accelerating forest succession with reforestation and the role of Port-Orford-cedar on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. In: Jain, Theresa B.; Schuler, Thomas M. [comp.]. Foundational concepts in silviculture with emphasis on reforestation and early stand improvement - 2022 National Silviculture Workshop. Proc. RMRS-P-80. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 3 p.