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Forest health and management

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Announcements

Emerald ash borer permanent quarantine for Washington, Yamhill, Marion and Clackamas counties

The invasive pest emerald ash borer has been found in Oregon and a permanent quarantine prohibiting the movement of tree materials was issued for four counties. Read more...
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Description:

OSU Extension provides science-based resources to help forest landowners identify, monitor and manage forest health issues. We offer guidance on insects, diseases and environmental stress to support resilient forests and long-term stewardship.

Fostering Stewardship: A How-to Guide for Trainers

By Rachel Werling and Max Bennett

This curriculum package helps natural-resource professionals train landowners on best practices in resource management. Topics include forests, fire, streams, wildlife, soil, pastures, water systems and economics — all issues facing landowners in many parts of the West.

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Photo Credit: Alyson Yates (Cropped from original)

Become an Oregon Forest Pest Detector!

Oregon Forest Pest Detectors (OFPDs) are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of invasive forest insects. They apply these skills in their day-to-day activities as arborists, parks managers, foresters, community tree stewards, Master Gardeners and other roles.

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Featured Resources

Choosing the Right Forestry Services Contractor: Practical, Ethical and Environmental Considerations

How do you find a forestry services contractor who can meet your needs? How do you determine whether they will do good work on your land and treat their workers fairly? This guide helps you pose key ...

Carl Wilmsen, Emily Jane Davis, Gianna Alessi | Sep 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Silvicultural Decision Guide for Swiss Needle Cast in Coastal Oregon and Washington

Swiss needle cast is a significant disease for Douglas-fir trees in the coastal Pacific Northwest. The disease turns foliage yellow, reduces needle retention, thins crowns and reduces tree growth. Options for forest ...

Gabriela Ritóková, David C. Shaw, Doug Mainwaring | May 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Forests and Woodlands: Protecting an Ecosystem

Learn to manage your forested property in ways that protect water quality, maintain soil health, reduce the threat of fire and improve wildlife habitat. This publication is one of a series of Land Steward Rural Resource Guidelines.

Max Bennett, Don Goheen, Jack Duggan | Jun 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Podcasts

  • In the Woods: Each month we will bring you research and science-based information on a new topic related to forests that aims to offer some insight into what we know and are still learning about forest science and management.

Ecology and Management of Eastern Oregon Forests: A Comprehensive Manual for Forest Managers

By Paul T. Oester Stephen A. Fitzgerald Nicole Strong Bob Parker Leticia Varelas Henderson Tim Deboodt William H. Emmingham Gregory M. Filip and Dan Edge

This manual gives an overview of Eastern Oregon forest types and various silvicultural systems for managing them. Topics include the ecology and management of ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, and mixed-conifer forests. Suggests ways to enhance range and wildlife values while managing eastside forestland.

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Photo Credit: Gary - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest Resources

Forests in a changing climate: A framework for management

Two potential strategies for addressing climate change can help forest managers prepare for a future with less water and warmer temperatures.

Stephen Fitzgerald, Glenn Howe, Glenn Ahrens | Jun 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Episode 62: Exploring Forest Biotechnology

Join Scott Leavengood and guest-host Teagan McElliot as they delve into the topic of BioEngineering, and how it could be applied beneficially to healthy forests and timber products.

Scott Leavengood, Carrie Cantrell, Steve Strauss | Jun 2025 | Podcast episode Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Promoting and enhancing early-seral habitat after timber harvest

Learn about the composition of complex early-seral habitat and ways to create or enhance these characteristics before, during and after harvesting timber.

Lauren Grand, Stephen Fitzgerald | May 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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Become a Master Woodland Manager!

The Master Woodland Manager (MWM) training is offered by Oregon State University Forestry and Natural Resources Extension as a high level course for private landowners who are interested in an intensive forest management training and sharing the knowledge gained through this training with people in their local communities.

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Latest News

Master Woodland Manager volunteers improve Lane County forest health

In 2021, MWM volunteers in Lane County reported 1,128 hours of unique activities with the public, family forestland owners, youth, watershed councils and various other organizations.

Lauren Grand | Apr 2025 | Impact story

Northern Blues Restoration Partnership field tour enhances understanding of prescribed fire

This event exemplified the power of collective action in addressing ecological challenges and promoting sustainable land management practices.

Micah Schmidt | Apr 2025 | Impact story

Podcast enables listeners to learn about forests on their own time

In the Woods helps listeners understand the connection between forest management and critical issues like water quality, wildfire risk, biodiversity and climate resilience.

Lauren Grand | Apr 2025 | Impact story

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Forest management resources

  • Oregon Small Woodlands Association: Oregon Small Woodlands Association is an organization made up of Oregon small woodland owners who practice and believe in: the strength of peer to peer communication between landowners, the strength of a unified effort to address legislative and regulatory challenges, and the strength of partnerships in addressing and solving common problems.
  • Oregon Forest Management Planning: Are you thinking about writing a forest management plan? This site will guide you and your forestry professional to all the resources you’ll need.

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Upcoming Events

Jul 12

Thinning Your Forest (Mark Havel Memorial Field Day)

9:00 am - 12:00 pm Oregon City, OR - Registration closed.
Jul 12

Pest Scene Investigator - La Pine

9:00 am - 3:00 pm La Pine, OR
Jul 18

Jacques Ranch & Farm - A Veteran Farmer Network Farm Tour

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Albany, OR
Aug 12

Stress Re-leaf: Saving Trees from Climate Burnout

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PDT Online
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Meet Our Experts

Glenn Ahrens
Forestry
Alicia Christiansen
Forestry & Natural Resources, Associate Professor of Practice
Ariel Cowan
Regional Fire Specialist, Central Region
Stephen Fitzgerald
Academic Wage Appointment (retired)
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Ask Extension

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

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What is this fungus and could it indicate internal decay in my Douglas-fir?

Q: A large fungus is growing at the base of a large Douglas-fir tree in my backyard. There are several fungi that can cause root rot in Douglas-fir, so I don't want to lose the tree, and I also don't want it to fall ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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