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Education and Research Committee Report. Washington Hardwoods Commission Annual Meeting – 2008 . Hardwood Publications. Scheduled for 2009 to advance awareness of Washington’s hardwood resource Northwest Woodlands and Western Forester
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Education and Research Committee Report Washington Hardwoods Commission Annual Meeting – 2008
Hardwood Publications • Scheduled for 2009 to advance awareness of Washington’s hardwood resource • Northwest Woodlands and Western Forester • Emphasis on significance of resource’s commercial and ecological values • Promote new developments in hardwood silviculture and • Small woodlot management opportunities
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
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
Rotation Length Study • Potential future issue of the maximum allowable rotation under which State’s 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
Rotation Length Study: WHC Observations • Many of the regulations of Oregon’s 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 Washington’s future hardwood industry could help to sustain rural economy.