Port-Orford-cedar root rot, caused by the invasive pathogen Phytophthora lateralis, has led to widespread mortality of Port-Orford-cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) throughout its native range in Southern Oregon.
These distribution efforts not only enhanced reforestation with disease-resistant trees but also built a foundation for continued landscape-scale genetic resilience through local partnerships and grassroots action.
While the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Dorena Genetic Resource Center has successfully developed genetically resistant seedlings, restoration planting efforts have largely focused on public lands. This has left a significant gap in coverage across private ownerships, particularly among small woodland owners. Many of these landowners are interested in contributing to restoration efforts, but access to resistant seedlings is limited — often requiring large minimum orders from specialized nurseries.
There is a critical need to expand the availability and planting of these disease-resistant seedlings on private lands to promote natural hybridization and build long-term genetic resistance across the broader landscape.
To address this issue, since 2016, Oregon State University Extension forester Norma Kline has taken a multi-pronged approach to increase access to genetically resistant Port-Orford-cedar seedlings for small woodland owners in Coos and Curry counties. Initially supported by a U.S. Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Council grant, Kline grew and distributed thousands of seedlings along with educational resources about the disease.
These efforts have led to the successful distribution of thousands of disease-resistant seedlings across Southern Oregon. In 2017, 6,600 seedlings were distributed to 26 locations in Curry County. Many recipients went beyond planting on their own land, either sharing seedlings with or pooling them for group planting, demonstrating strong community engagement and cooperation.
In 2024, Kline partnered with OSU Extension’s Forestry and Natural Resource Program and a local natural resource contractor to further this effort. By coordinating with the contractor to include extra seedlings in a larger restoration order, Kline was able to make these resistant seedlings available for purchase in smaller quantities suitable for individual landowners. Kline used her local networks to promote the opportunity and helped coordinate efficient distribution to interested parties.
In 2024, another 630 high-quality seedlings were distributed across Coos and Curry counties through the newer collaboration. Recipients expressed high satisfaction with the seedlings and the educational support provided.
These distribution efforts not only enhanced reforestation with disease-resistant trees but also built a foundation for continued landscape-scale genetic resilience through local partnerships and grassroots action.
