The Association continues to promote planting Willamette Valley source ponderosa pine seedlings in plantations throughout the Willamette Valley. Efforts continued on the development of our commercialization project including growth and yield data, the investigation of special products and log supply estimates. The seed orchard continues to produce significant amounts of seed. Landowners are very interested in insect and disease monitoring and the ODF insect trapping project.
There was no Association tour in 2009 but there was an event sponsored by the Lane County Small Woodlands Association hosted by Jim Christian. Jim showed us how he is managing ponderosa pine on some harsh sites - even for Willamette Valley ponderosa. Our display was presented at the Clackamas County Tree School in March for the eighth year. Rick Fletcher and Bob McNitt also made a class presentation on Willamette Valley Ponderosa pine management. A field presentation was done for the Master Woodland Managers Mini College in Benton County and a presentation made to the Wilsonville Lions Club.
The Executive Committee held three meetings and one work session. The 2008 Annual Report was published and 614 copies mailed to interested persons and businesses on the contact list. The paid membership was 102, down slightly from previous years.
Thirty people attended the Annual Meeting on March 4 at the Linn County Extension office in Albany. Mike Barsotti and Rick Fletcher were re-elected to 3 year terms on the Executive committee. Larry Miller, ODF geneticist gave a report on the seed production from the ponderosa pine Seed Orchard. Steve Bowers discussed the principles of selling logs in good and bad times especially in the case of ponderosa pine. Rob Flowers ODF Entomologist gave an update on the bark beetle survey he has been conducting on ponderosa pine stands in the Willamette Valley. The program will be repeated in 2009. He expects the second year to confirm trends for recommendations for ponderosa pine insect and disease management.
“Establishing and managing ponderosa pine in the Willamette Valley“ guides can be purchased from the Association. Purchase price with current membership is $10.00, non members $24.00. For information about the Association, its activities and future tours check back to our website.
