Hardwood Resource Ownership, Location, and Supply Issues

Glenn AhrensOregon State University

Extension Forester

Agenda

• Hardwood Timber Situation in the Pacific Northwest - Key determinants of supply.

• Hardwood Resource Trends by Ownership

• Future Outlook on Key Factors

Hardwood Resource Data Sources

• USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA)– 1997 - PNW-RB-237 Azuma et. al 2002– 2001 - PNW-RB-246 Gray et. al 2005– 2006 - PNW-GTR-765 Donnegan et. al 2008– 2006 - PNW-GTR-800 Campbell et. al 2010

• Washington DNR, Oregon Dept. of Forestry – Timber Harvest Reports

• Washington Hardwoods Commission – processor reports

Key Aspects of Hardwood Supply

• Alder component has declined on the landscape and as % of harvest .

• Alder “comes along” with softwood harvest –ups and downs of regional harvest trends.

• Retention and management for alder in younger stands has increased.

Timber Trends on Private Lands in Western Oregon and Washington: A New Look

Darius Adams & Greg Latta. 2007. West. J. Appl. For. 22(1)

Greater attention to management of hardwoods will be needed to sustain benefits from hardwoods.

•Abundant alder is a legacy of past practices – current practices generally reduce the alder component.

Knowledge of and management for alder is increasing.

Foresters and landowners often leave alder in young stands when it appears to be the “best tree”.

The hardwood component on non-industrial private woodlands is increasingly important …

The future depends on hardwood management

• Current abundance – Legacy of past management

• Future abundance– Management favoring conifer – Management for hardwood?

US Private Industrial Forests

22 % of Alder Inventory

65 % of Alder Harvest

US Private Non Industrial Forests

19 % of Alder Inventory

25 % of Alder Harvest

BC Private Forests

3.6% of Alder Inventory

~0.5 % of Alder Harvest

US State Forests

13 % of Alder Inventory

6 % of Alder Harvest

BC Government Forests

31 % of Alder Inventory

3.7 % of Alder Harvest

US Government Forests

11 % of Alder Inventory

0.3 % of Alder Harvest

Socia

l Ben

efits

Eco

nom

ic

Benefi

ts

SustainabilitySustainability

Environmental Benefits

Hardwoods are recognized for providing

diversity

• biological

• aesthetic

• economic

Hardwoods are an important objective for all 3 sides of sustainability

Alig et al. 2000 PNW-RP-522. Forest Cover Dynamics in the Pacific Northwest West Side.

Is the worst over ? Loss of red alder forest type slowing down?

Non - industrial

Industrial

Hardwood Proportion of Timber InventoryW. Oregon + W. Washington

0

5

10

15

20

25

1980's 1990's 2000's ?

Per

cent

of

Tot

al I

nven

tory

Hardwoods

Alder

Timber Trends on Private Lands in Western Oregon and Washington: A New Look

Darius Adams & Greg Latta. 2007. West. J. Appl. For. 22(1)

LOGS

LUMBER

Hardwood Timber Resources

— Continuing management favoring conifers on major private and public lands.

— Non-forest development, particularly on lowlands— Oregon 0.2% per year, 10x worse in Washington?

┼ Increasing value of alder – major industry and employment.

┼ Increasing management for alder - both economic and ecological goals.

Hardwood Timber Resources

• Non-industrial forests have about half the hardwood , continue to regenerate hardwood, and provide growing share of supply.

• Foresters are increasing alder management.• State Forests aim to provide consistent timber

supply including red alder. • Social & Political Climate - Movement towards

balance between economic and environmental.

Summary - Hardwood Supply Situation

• Recent harvest volume of alder (2007-2009) is about half what it was 15 years ago.

• Alder component declining on the landscape and as % of harvest – decline leveling off?.

• Alder comes along with softwood harvest -regional harvest trend drives alder supply.

• Available landbase and market factors drive forest harvest – worst is over?

• Alder retention and management – increasing.

Outlook for Hardwood Timber Priorities for action

• Increase public understanding and acceptance of forest management - maintain “license to practice forestry”

• Keep forest lands in forest – prevent conversion to non-forest

• Increase professional knowledge and skills in Hardwood Forest Management

• Demonstrate success and transfer the technology