East Moraine Community Forest Health Project Set to Finish This Spring
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
JOSEPH – (Information from the Wallowa Land Trust) In a recent Newsletter, the Wallowa Land Trust gave an update on the ongoing forest health project for the East Moraine Community Forest, issue the following information:
“In January, we held a guided Forest Health Tour on the East Moraine Community Forest to show the work being done on the property to mitigate an infestation of bark beetles. We asked the East Moraine Community Forest’s Property Manager, Katy Nesbitt, for some updates on the project so far.
1. Since the Forest Health Tour in January, what work has been done for this project?
Beginning in late February, almost 19 acres of the East Moraine Community Forest were commercially harvested. The trees were logged using a “whole tree” system – heavy equipment cuts the tree down and transports it to a landing not far from the road going up the East Moraine from the Turner Lane trailhead. As of the last week of March, most of the logs had been hauled to the mills.
2. What was the impetus for this project to begin with?
The prescription called for the removal of grand fir to promote the growth of trees that are better adapted to the site, like ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and western larch. The grand fir not only compete for water and nutrients with the other species, but are carrying a beetle called scolytus, or fir engraver. Taking out diseased trees will slow down the beetle’s attack on the stand.
3. What stage is the project in now?
A few logs are left to be hauled to the mill and a slash pile remains at the landing.
4. When will the project be wrapped up and what will it look like?
The project will be completed this spring as conditions permit to haul the remaining logs and manage the slash. Stand 6 now has a more open canopy, allowing more sunlight, rain and snow onto the forest floor. The treatment will reduce competition between encroaching grand fir and dry site tolerant species and decrease the risk of further loss of trees to beetles.”
