Education and Research Committee Report

1
Education and Research Committee Report

• Washington Hardwoods Commission
• Annual Meeting 2008

2
Hardwood Publications

• Scheduled for 2009 to advance awareness of
  Washingtons hardwood resource
• Northwest Woodlands and Western Forester
• Emphasis on significance of resources commercial
  and ecological values
• Promote new developments in hardwood silviculture
  and
• Small woodlot management opportunities

3
Northwest Woodlands

• April 2009
• Topics
• Red alder ecology, silviculture, requirements for
  successful stand establishment
• Overview of hybrid poplar plantation industry
• Wildlife and hardwoods
• Ecological/environmental value of native
  hardwoods
• Traditional and novel markets
• Emerging species

4
Western Forester

• March 2009
• Topics
• Hardwood site requirements/selection criteria
• Economics of hardwood production
• Importance of pruning and stand density
  management
• Development of improved planting stock
• Growth and yield of hardwood stand management
• Managing for multiple markets
• Future outlook for hardwood industry

5
Rotation Length Study

• Potential future issue of the maximum allowable
  rotation under which States hardwood resource
  can be managed as an agricultural crop
• Current Washington regulation allows for a 15
  year rotation
• Commission study of an ongoing Oregon initiative
  to clarify regulatory aspects of increasing its
  exemption to 20 years

6
Rotation Length Study WHC Observations

• Many of the regulations of Oregons forest
  practices act not compatible with hardwood crops
  grown on agricultural sites with conventional
  farming practices
• Option of a longer rotation allows for greater
  flexibility in managing for multiple markets,
  formation of grower cooperatives, etc.
• A longer rotation would increase return from
  investment in pruning and stand management
  practices
• An Oregon extension to 20 years could put
  Washington growers at a disadvantage.
• Viability of Washingtons future hardwood
  industry could help to sustain rural economy.