Help restore forest to health. Southern Oregon

Hi Permies,

I’ve got a forest restoration project I’ve been working on in Southern Oregon, just outside of Ashland. It’s a beautiful location with an amazing amount of diversity. There are at least 8 different species of native trees on the property as well as an endless array of edible/medicinal plants and wildflowers.

The forest was logged probably 40-60 years ago and since then has gone pretty much uncared for. This has resulted in an unhealthy density. Instead of trees being able to thrive in their own space, they’re overcrowded and competing for resources this results in a lot of broken and misshapen trees, or situations where the conifers have pieced the canopy of the shade intolerant oaks, killing off limbs, and in many cases, whole trees. While the conifers are great as a marketable resource, the presence of the oak, and diversity in general, are key factors in supporting the teaming wildlife communities. Aside from poor forest health, this overcrowding also makes the forest inaccessible to us humans to enjoy. Instead of being able to go out for a hike (or easily manage the land), one must bushwhack through the understory, literally,  unable to see the forest through the trees. As you can imagine, this also make for an extremely volatile situation when fires come through, which are an ever growing threat out here in the west.
There are also a few springs and riparian zones that we’ll spend some time addressing in a way that slows the flow and keeps the water on the land, and recharging the groundwater, as much as possible.  

We are trying to take a wholistic approach to this process, honoring the plants, animal, and land as we go. Instead of piling and burning the slash, we are chipping where we can and laying the fallen logs on contour in order to basically make swales, again keeping the carbon and water on the property, not putting it in the air or enabling mass run off and soil degradation. We’re also building
wildlife habitat with some of the debris. Where it’s not possible to get the chipper, or plausible to drag it out, we are doing some debris burning.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in checking out and helping with, I would welcome a discussion about specifics. The property is pretty wild and “off-grid”. There is a solar generator on site and amazing spring water to drink. A shared propane shower and composting toilet. There are a couple of domes available for Living or sites to park your bus,van, or tiny home. There’s a veggie garden site available to grow some food but our growing season is pretty short.  Work would primarily consist of hauling and piling limbs and log sections. You would definitely have direction and help. You’d also be able to bring your own ideas to contribute.  Some time would also be spent on creating and maintaining some infrastructure to improve yours and others’ time on the property. Running water and kitchen access come to mind. Here are some photos of what it looks like after the work is done.

Neat project. I’ll be in that area at some time this year and it would be great to lend a hand. With my knee issue I’d be able to build on a community kitchen. I have my own camper to use. I’ll send a PM.

I really like what you are doing! I am looking for my next step and have some experience and a lot of ideas when it comes to working on restoring land.  I would be interested in discussing more details and exchanging ideas if you are still looking.  I am not local, but willing and ready to relocate.

Hey Leaf, how's this project going? Are you still looking for help?

The project is in going and even once the entirety of the property has gotten its initial treatment, it will need continued attention.
It’s been a learning experience for sure. I’ve tended to err on thinning less and as such, as I stroll through previously treated areas, I’m constantly seeing more thinning that needs to occur. Ultimately, however, that pace seems good. For me, and the forest. Just the initial clearing of underbrush opens up the forest enough to be “seen through the trees”. I anticipate this will allow the healthiest trees that remain to assert their dominance and make it more obvious what needs attention on the subsequent passes. I’m pleased to say that we’ve had little breakage due to increased wind and snow loads that is apparently common on recently thinned areas. I take this as an indication that the work we’re doing is in alignment with the needs of the forest. Also, many of the other goals, such as increased duff and water retention, and wildlife habitat, are obviously being met. Very encouraged by the results so far and still have about half of the 80 acres still to process. Help toward these goals are always welcome.

I am doing something similar in MO.  There is this random 300 acre park in Kansas City that is strangely wild for being right next to downtown, but is overgrown with invasive species.  I have cleared invasives from about 3 acres (only 1% lolz, but better than nothing), have started putting down native seed mixes to bring back the forb population, and started thinning out the tree canopy.

Beyond any pointers you have on felling in dense forest settings (I am trying to leave lots of standing dead wood where it isn't a walking path hazard but that still leaves quite a few I have to take down), I was also curious what you did with those springs you mentioned in the initial post.  There are several springs in this park and I think it would be a good next step to do something with those.

Sounds like a great project Will. Yes, felling in dense forest is challenging. Particularly when you're not just clearcutting but trying to maintain a heathy canopy. There are definitely choices that need to be made. As for the springs, I haven't really done much with them. Aside from specific laws here in Oregon limiting what can be done to them, I'm not dependent upon them for water sources. My water does come from a spring, and I kind of assume they're all a connected system so I'm hesitant to do much to alter what nature has got working so well. I have tried to clear overcrowding around the springs and use the "contour" logs down hill of them to help slow the water and keep it on my property as long as possible but nothing to develop the springs per se.
Good Luck on your project

Nice Post and Project..

Uncared is a long time consuming way for the "succession" but this is basically what the forest does to become healthy.

If you want to speed up things look for all weak plants and trees, add nitrogen fixer in a balanced way, the rest is  "Chop and Drop"

You need to understand that "succession" begins with bare land, grows grasses and herbs, shrubs and then the Forest takes over.
Every unattended land will end up one day in a healthy Forest (or in a Desert if enough damage is done)

Hey Leaf, is this still a viable opportunity? Can you tell me more details of the work/trade aspect?

Hi Nora,
The work continues. I’ve thinned (with the help of many- thank you) all but about 15 acres, which I am hoping to complete this fall/winter. And then I imagine the work will still be here but look a bit different. Now that I’ve had a chance to really work though all areas of the property and open them up, I can focus attention in specific areas.
The “trade” I have to offer is the opportunity to Live on the property, learning from experience. The “work” I ask for in exchange tends to be based on the individual’s skills and interests but are geared toward the improvement and maintenance of the property.
If you’re interested, tell me about yourself, including your skills and interest.

Leaf Bailey wrote:Hi Nora,
If you’re interested, tell me about yourself, including your skills and interest.

peep my most recent post?

leaf, i wonder about your desire to grow more food, and of course the understandable challenges of wildlife and relatively high latitude/cold climate. one solution is a geothermal greenhouse which would help with both (here's an example from nebraska)

also, any desire to build and use good heating technologies (like a rocket stove, rocket mass heater,)?

i'd be interested to help in these things along with helping/learning about the forest restoration, etc.

Keshav,
Thanks for reaching out. I am absolutely interested in growing more food and developing infrastructure to help achieve that. I’d Love to talk more about it all. I’ll reach out to you with a PM.

leaf, also my buddy just reminded me of the siskiyou seeds, which i believe is VERY close to you. they growing tropical plants all the way in oregon!

(andrew millison's yt videos of the place):
https://youtu.be/jkrsqrRKgd4?si=l36WTjM4ZI_5FDi2
https://youtu.be/BuYGS5pLRZg?si=ZzY_iAgkH5WQoBOj

Yes, siskiyou seeds is a great local resource.