EM 4044 August 1976

NATIVE LANDSCAPE OF THE MID-COLUMBIA REGION

Acknowledgements

The information in this publication was adapted from Mid-Columbia Minor Forest Products Marketing Study by Pat Holloway. The study was done for the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District under a grant from the Western Interstate Development Commission on Higher Education Resources Development Internship Program.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the valuable contributions to this publication made by I. R. Adlard, area forestry agent, Stevenson, , and Dr. R. L. Tichnor, professor of horticulture, State University, Corvallis, Oregon, who served as a resource panel.

Introduction

The Mid-Columbia region of Oregon and Washington has, in recent years, been the focus of many studies undertaken in the interest of its economic development. In September 1974, Pat Holloway (Millersville State College) completed a report describing the potential market outlets for native materials of the Mid-Columbia region. Her report included a description of the possible market outlets for native transplants and collected decoratives, the quality standards and specifications for each plant of marketable value, and a short summary of the possibilities for development of a minor forest products industry in the Mid-Columbia region.

Holloway's report showed that many native species have landscape value. This publication is a condensed version of her report. It should be of value to landscape designers, Extension agents, nurserymen, public agencies, and persons interested in entering the native plant materials business.

The Marketplace

Private Landscape Projects

Private landscape projects include industrial parks, residences, and businesses as well as small, natural plantings for state and local agencies. These projects represent a significant outlet for native ornamentals in the Northwest. Some species are already available through nurseries and are variously included in many designs. It is likely that many more species would be used if they were available.

Due to an increased interest in 11instant effect" landscaping, larger specimens are often specified by landscape designers. Nurseries usually propagate and develop plant material up to a certain size before selling. Large-specimen stock is often transplanted from the wild.

Private landscape designs generally do not require large quantities of a single species. Nurseries catering to private landscape contractors should place emphasis on variety rather than quantity. They must be able to produce quality stock at competitive prices. They should also plan to provide landscape designers and contractors with up-to-date product listings.

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE • WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY • PULLMAN In cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the Washington State University Cooperative Extension Service, J. 0. Young, Director EM 4044- Page 2

Highway Departments

Highway departments account for a substantial number of landscape projects. These projects require farge quantities of plant material. A system of bidding and contract buying is generally used to obtain planting stock. Most highway departments specify minimum quality standards to which nurseries must adhere. Newly established and small nurseries generally are unable to compete successfully for highway-size contracts. They find it difficult to meet quality and uniformity standards for the large quantities of materials needed.

More and more native plant materials are being used in highway landscaping. Lower maintenance cost and the desire for the natural look encourages the use of native species. They are used on median strips as barriers to sound and headlight glare, to direct traffic or as crash barriers, and for erosion control.

Forest Revegetation

Forest revegetation and reclamation projects have great potential for utilization of native plant materials. These projects reestablish the characteristic vegetation of an area to protect the soil against erosion on roadsides and steep slopes, to improve wildlife food and cover, and reduce and slow soil moisture runoff.

The Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Natural Resources, and large timber companies engage in this type of planting. Strip mining and other corporate activities often require reclamation of disturbed sites. An expanding concern for the environment, our living space, will greatly increase the demand for this type of landscape development.

Doing Business

Contract Bidding

Bidding procedures vary. Commonly a planner will recommend plant materials based on site requirements and availability of stock. His plans are then submitted to landscape contractors for open bidding. Nurseries also submit bids for all or part of the necessary nursery stock. Contracts are usually awarded to the lowest bidder. Because the buyer loses control at this point over the growing conditions under which the plant materials are produced, he must write into the contract specific quality and uniformity standards. Nurseries with established reputations are sure to receive prompt notice of contract availability. New nurseries may be ignored since they often operate at a marginal production level and their ability to produce high-quality, uniform stock is unknown.

A Variation

Sometimes the bidding pattern varies. In any case, plans are released by the designers and bidding is opened to landscape contractors for the entire job. The contractor then has the option of calling for bids from subcontractor nurserymen or he may purchase without benefit of bids from local suppliers who he feels are best able to fill his needs. 1 Local nursery stock has certain advantages over shipped-in material including: • Better adaptability • Reduction in the number of handlers. • Lower delivery cost.

1 Some local contractors use the same nursery for every project. EM '4044- Page 3

Contracts

Contracts or subcontracts with nurserymen are frequently worded in such a way that they are not compensated for their service unless plant materials are used. Under these arrangements nursery operators run the risk that project funds will be withdrawn before delivery. If a large volume of nursery stock is grown and alternative markets are limited, the small operator may sustain losses which he will be unable to absorb.

Alternate Contract .

A solution to this problem is a contract by which nurseries are partially paid in advance for time and materials. In this type of contract, if agreed-upon quality specifications are not met, the purchaser may withhold final payment until the nurseryman is able to supply satisfactory stock. This type of contract partially protects both the buyer and the seller.

Consignments

Consignment of nursery stock to wholesale brokers greatly reduces the speculation involved in contract bidding. Brokers buy stock from several nurseries and are able to offer buyers both quantity and variety in plant material. Brokerage is a valuable outlet for small nursery operators and those who specialize in production of only a few species.

Demand for Native Materials

When the demand for nursery stock is high, as it has been in recent years, nurserymen tend to concentrate production on species yielding the highest profit. Consequently, the propagation of native plants is relaxed in favor of named cultivars and exotics.

Propagation

Cuttings

A cutting is a plant part that will form new roots and buds, eventually developing into a plant like the parent. It may be made from stems, roots, or . This type of propagation requires exacting control of all growing conditions from the beginning until the plant is fully established. Success most often comes about with easily rooted species, such as cottonwood, willow, and certain houseplants.

Propagation by cuttings requires special facilities and techniques for commercial production of landscape species. This method of propagation makes it possible to increase stocks of selected superior plants.

Seeding

The Forest Service and Soil Conservation Service have done considerable research with seed propagation of native species. The potential for the economical, large-scale revegetation production of wildlife food and cover is substantial. More research is needed on shrub establishment before seeding will become a major propagation procedure for native stock. EM 4044- Page 4

Transplanting from the Wild

There is a growing demand by private landscapers for large, native plant specimens transplanted from the wild. Also, selected superior forms of wild plant materials are often transplanted by nurserymen for use as parent propagation stock.

Plant materials collected from the wild should be maintained under nursery care for at least one year. This allows the stock to recover from the shock of being lifted and increases the chances of survival once it is placed in ~he landscape planting.

Young plant material will generally survive best. It should be transplanted from the wild during the months of October through March. Transplanting of older stock is costly and difficult, and must be done with extreme care.

It is important to obtain permission of the land owner from whose property the material is to be collected. Certain public lands have severe restrictions on the removal of plant material. Infractions of legal rights may be very costly.

Nursery Stock

Nursery-grown stock is the largest source of plant material for landscaping. It may be sold bare root, balled, or in containers. For the most part, container-grown material is preferred. It is easier to handle and can be planted most any time of the year.

Nursery propagation lends itself to the improvement of plant materials and produces a uniform inventory.

Native Plants of the Mid-Columbia • The survey of the Mid-Columbia region revealed a large number of native plants with varying potential for use in landscape plantings. Many of these species are found throughout the . Landscapers and builders should be on the lookout for them on potential building sites. Where possible, they should be saved during construction and incorporated into the landscape design.

All of the species listed in Table 1 have possible use for landscaping. In addition, the nine recognized as currently having significant market value are described in detail.

Berberis (Mahonia)

This hollylike evergreen has become very popular in the nurseries of Oregon and Washington. Notable species are aquifolium, tall mahonia; and nervosa, Oregon grape. The two are very similar in appearance. Tall mahonia averages 25 inches in height with leaflets 5 to 11 per with yellow racemes of small, fragrant . Oregon grape is smaller overall but has 11 to 22 leaflets per leaf. Both produce deep blue berries in midsummer which are often collected when ripe for home use in jellies and jams.

Favored among highway landscapers, species of Berberis are highly adaptable, resistant to wind, and do very well on steep slopes. They have a good range of moisture tolerance and are readily available from nurseries. EM 4044- Page 5

Acer circinatum

Vine is among the smaller variety of . Mature average 25 to 30 feet. Characterized by seven- to nine-lobed leaves, bright red samaras (winged seeds) spreading at nearly right angles, and yellow to red fall colors, its size makes it particularly appealing in industrial and residential plantings. Specimens are best planted in groups rather than individually and care should be exercised in transplanting them. Survival of plantings is usually greatest where stock is two to three feet tall. Older, established trees are more sensitive to transplanting.

Gaultheria shallon

Salal is often overlooked as a decorative plant because, some say, it grows too commonly in the wild. It is, however, a handsome, broad-leaved, evergreen shrub. The dark green, leathery, round leaves of salal are pleasing in combination with other broad-leaved evergreens. While it thrives and spreads readily once established, it does not compete well with other plants. Its pretty, urn-shaped flowers bloom freely in May and are followed by large, edible, purple berries, Occurring mostly low to the ground but often growing to a height of three feet, salal is well suited to a variety of landscape uses. It is also extremely decorative in floral arrangements and is collected extensively throughout Oregon and Washington for this purpose.

Vaccinium

Thin-leaved huckleberry, membranaceum, and evergreen huckleberry, ovatum, both have some commercial value in the Northwest. The thin-leaved variety is characterized by large, tapering leaves and pink, urn-shaped flowers appearing singly in leaf axils. In late summer, the familiar blue-black berries appear and are widely gathered for supermarkets, roadside stands, and home use. These are the huckleberries i~digenous to the slopes of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.

The evergreen hucklebe-rry is a tall shrub with a neat habit of dark green, glossy, ovate, pointed leaves (1 to 2 inches long). Clusters of pretty, pale pink flowers appear in spring followed in summer by purple . While its berries are also edible, the market for this variety is greatest among floral greenery outlets. Bunches of flat sprays are collected from stands growing in partially shaded areas. Commonly called the coast huckleberry, this variety is abundant in high-rainfall areas.

Cornus nuttalii

Pacific mountain dogwood is the showiest of all the dogwoods and is truly one of the world's out­ standing ornamentals. It is a fairly small growing as much as 50 feet high with flowers surrounded by large, showy white bracts. Globular clusters of red berries appear in midsummer among shiny, green leaves. Certain strains then again in August and September with bracts taking on rose­ pink tones as they fade. Establishing this species has proven frustrating, meeting with practically no success from collected specimens and with limited success from nursery stock. Plantings should not be left free-standing but surrounded by growth characteristically associated with it. This protects the trunk from sunscald. Roots should be kept moist during transplanting.

Polystichum munitum

Sword fern produces thick, evergreen fronds up to three feet in height with sharp-pointed, undivided pinnae. Clustered rosettes of fronds are common in moist, wooded areas throughout the Northwest. EM '4044 - Page 6

Sword fern is popular on the floral market as background greenery for funeral and other floral arrangements. Gathered specimens are 20 to 28 inches in length and bunches of 52 are bound together for processing. Collection sites are mostly in coastal areas due to the abundance and quality of material. Sword fern is readily accessible and easy to propagate. It has a definite landscape value and is an attractive supplement to domestic gardens.

Acer macrophyllum

Bigleaf maple is a popular and abundant native, growing to 80 or 90 feet. Its leaves are glossy green and five-lobed with yellow-green winged seeds spreading at about 45-degree angles. As a mature tree, its stout, curving branches and bright yellow, fall foliage are handsome characteristics. As a landscape species, bigleaf maple is most suitable as a shade tree. Highway and industrial uses are limited.

Symphoricarpus a/bus

Snowberry is a shrub generally two to three feet tall with oval to irregularly lobed leaves and deep pink, bell-shaped flowers. Its common name is derived from the waxy white berries which appear in midsummer and persist into late autumn. Snowberry is highly resistant to dry conditions. It is particularly well-suited for erosion control projects, wildlife food and cover, and highway landscapes. In the Northwest, its cultivar, white hedge, has had good success as an ornamental. It has been especially popular in the North Central states.

Holodiscus discolor

The native ocean spray is a shrub growing as high as 20 feet. Its soft, filmy panicles of cream-colored flowers are abundant in June. Ocean spray is used in fairly large quantities by highway landscapers in both Oregon and Washington. Seed propagation of this shrub is being studied for possible use in reforestation projects.

Table I

Selected Native Plants of the Mid-Columbia and Suggested Areas of Utilization 1

Highway Private Nursery Landscape Landscape Stock Research

Abies lasiocarpa-alpine fir X X X Acer circinatum-vine maple X X X Acer glabrum var. douglasii-Douglas maple X X Acer macrophyllum-bigleaf maple X Adiantum pedatum-maidenhair fern X Amelanchier alnifolia-serviceberry X X X X Arctostaphylos columbiana-hairy rna nzanita X X Arctostaphylos nevadensis-pinemat manzanita X Arctostaphylos uva-ursi-kinnikinnick X Berberis aquifolium-tall mahonia X X Berberis nervosa-Oregon grape X X :'

1 These are suggested uses-special characteristics of the area to be planted must first be carefully considered and compared with the adaptability of individual species. EM 4044- Page 7

Castanopsis chrysophylla-golden chinquapin X X X X integerrimus-wild lilac X Ceanothus prostratus-squaw carpet X Ceanothus sanquineus-redstem ceanothus X Ceanothus velutinus-snow brush X Cornus nuttallii-Pacific dogwood X X Comus stolonifera-redosier dogwood X X X Corylus cornuta-hazel brush X X Crataegus douglasii-black hawthorn X X Fraxinus latifolia-Oregon ash X X Gaultheria shallon-salal X X Holodiscus discolor-ocean spray X X X Linnaea borealis-twi nflower X Menziesia ferruginea-false azalea X X X Pachistima myrsinites-mountain lover X X X Philadelphus lewisii-mock -orange X X Physocarpus capitatus-ni ne-bark X X X Picea englemanii-Englemann spruce X X X X -lodgepole pine X Polystichum munitum-sword fern X -quaking aspen X X X Prunus emarginata-bitter cherry X Pseudotsuga mensiesii-Douglas-fir X X Quercus garryana-Oregon white oak X X X Rhododendron macrophyllum-rhododendron X X X Ribes lacustre-swamp currant X Ribes lobii-gummy gooseberry X Ribes sanguineum-red flowering currant X X Ribes viscosissimum-sticky currant X Rosa nutkana-nootka rose X Rosa woodsli-wood's rose X Rubus ursinus-trailing blackberry X X Rubus leucodermis-blackcap X Rubus parviflorus-thi mbleberry X Rubus spectabilis-salmonberry X Salix spp.-willow X X X Sambucus cerulea-blue elderberry X X Sambucus racemosa-red elderberry X Sorbus sitchensis...:..sitka mountain ash X X X Spiraea betulifolia-birch-leaf spirea X X Spiraea douglasii-Douglas spirea X Symphoricarpus albus-snowberry X -mountain hemlock X X X Vaccinium membranaceum-mountain huckleberry X X X Vaccinium ovatum-evergreen huckleberry X X X Vaccinium parvifolium-red huckleberry X X X EM 4044- Page 8

Appendix 1

Bibliography of Selected References

Gallup, Robert M. 1974. Native Trees and in Roadside Slope Vegetation. USDA Forest Service Equipment Development Center, San Dimas, .

Hartman, H. T. and D. E. Kester. 1974. Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices. Prentice-Hall Publishing Company~·

Hitchcock, C. L. and Arthur Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle.

Holloway, Pat. 1974. Mid.-Columbia Minor Forest Products Marketing Study. Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Boulder, .

Hoskinson, Charles and David Radloff. 1973. An Inventory of Mid-Columbia Minor Forest Products. Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Boulder, Colorado.

Minore, Don. 1972. The Wild Huckleberries of Oregon and Washington-A Dwindling Resource. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, Portland, Oregon .

Sander, Gary H., Clayton Wills, and Kenneth Humbert; 1974. Forest Products Marketing in Clackamas and Multnomah Counties, Oregon. Special Report 413, Cooperative Extension Service, Oregon State University, Corvallis.

Sutton, Richard and Craig W. Johnson. 1974. Landscape Plants from Utah's Mountains. E.C. 368, Cooperative Extension Service, Utah State University, Logan. EM 4044 - Page 9

Appendix II

Partial List of Buyers and Processors of Minor Forest Products

Product Company Name Address

Crude drugs Western Crude Drug Division of SB Penik Co. 1008 W. 8th, Vancouver, WA

Pacific Coast Cascara Bark Co. 520 N.W. 23rd, Portland, OR

Burls American Forest Specialties, Inc. 13145 N.E. Glisan, Portland, OR

Alfred A. Loeb, Inc. 1501 N. Hayden Island Dr., Portland, OR

Floral greenery Callison's, Inc. Lloyd Building, Seattle, WA and evergreens G. R. Kirk Co. 615 E. Pioneer, Puyallup, WA

Chase Gardens Wholesale Florists 519 S.E. Main, Portland, OR

Oregon Flower Growers Assn. 1112 S.E. Grand, Portland, OR

Oliver & Thompson Wholesale Florists 520 S.E. Taylor, Portland, OR

Dried materials Chase Gardens Wholesale Florists 519 S.E. Main, Portland, OR

Brown Seed Company 12101 N.E. 28th, Vancouver, WA

Seed Viewcrest Nursery 9617 N.E. Burton Road, Vancouver, WA

Brown Seed Company 12101 N.E. 28th, Vancouver, WA

Herbst Brothers, Seedsmen, Inc. 1000 N. Main Street, Brewster, NY 10509

E. C. Moran Stanford, MT

F. W. Schumacher Co. Sandwich, MA

Nursery stock Alfred Teufel Nursery 12345 N.W. Barnes Road, Portland, OR

Silver Falls Nursery Star Route 55, Silverton, OR

Ferris Quality Nursery Star RouteS, South Beach, OR

Viewcrest Nursery 9617 N.E. Burton Road, Vancouver, WA

Briggs Nursery 4407 Henderson Blvd., Olympia, WA

Seven Dees Nursery and Landscaping 6025 S.E. Powell Blvd., Portland, OR

Perron Partnership PC 123 N.W. 2nd Avenue, Portland, OR EM 4044- Page 10

Product Company Name Address

Nursery stock Portland Wholesale Nursery 5050 S.E. Stark St., Portland, OR (contd) Aichele Landscaping, Inc. 11360 S.E. Stevens Road, Milwaukie, OR

Park Bureau, Mt. Tabor Yard 6437 S.E. Division, Portland, OR

Oregon State Department of Highways, East Salem, Highway Bldg, State Street, ' Landscape Division Salem, OR

Washington State Department of Highways, Highway Administration Bldg, Landscape Division Olympia, WA EM 4044- Page 11

Appendix Ill

Plant Material Most Commonly Used by the Oregon State Highway Department 1

Acer circinatum-vine maple Acer glabrum var. douglasii-mountain maple Acer macrophyllum-bigleaf maple Ailanthus altissima-tree of heaven Arbutus menziesii-Pacific madrone Arctostaphylos columbiana-hairy manzanita Arctostaphylos uva-ursi-Kinnikinnick Berberis aquifolium-tall mahonia Berberis nervosa-Oregon grape Buddleia davidii-butterfly bush 'charming' Calocedrus decurrens-California incense cedar Ceanothus integerrimus-deerbrush Ceanothus prostratus-squawcarpet Cornus nuttallii-Pacific dogwood Cornus stolonifera-redosier dogwood Coronilla varia-crownvetch Crataegus monogyna-singleseed hawthorn 'pyramidal' Crataegus oxyacantha-English hawthorn 'Pauls scarlet' Cytisus multiflorus-whitespanish broom Cytisus scoparius-scotch broom 'borsh prostrate' 'St. Marys' 'Stanford' Fraxinus latifolia-Oregon ash Gaultheria shallon-salal Holodiscus discolor-ocean spray Juniperus scopulorum-Rocky Mountain· juniper 'chandler silver' 'erecta glauca' 'heasley' 'pathfinder' 'silver king' Myrica californica-Pacific wax-myrtle Picea englemannii-Englemann spruce Picea pungens-Colorado spruce 'koster' Pinus contorta-shore pine -ponderosa pine Populus tremuloides-quaking aspen Potentilla fruiticosa-cinquefoil 'gold drop' 'Katherine Dykes' 'Sutters gold' Prunus laurocerasus-common laurelcherry 'Otto Luykens' Pseudotsuga menziesii-Douglas-fir Quercus garryana-Oregon white oak Rhododendron macrophyllum-native rhododendron Rhus glabra-smooth sumac Ribes sanguineum-red-flowering currant Salix babylonica-weeping willow Sambucus racemosa var. arborescens-red elderberry Symphoricarpus albus-snowberry Thuja plicata-giant arborvitae 'columnar~ · Tsuga heterophylla-Pacific hemlock Tsuga mertensiana-mountain hemlock Vaccinium ovatum-box blueberry

1 Plant materials include those plants native to or introduced into the Pacific Northwest region (not specifically the Mid-Columbia region), and existing ornamental variants of these plants utilized by the Oregon State Highway Department.

Bruce Rood, former Extension research assistant, Skamania County; P. C. Crandall, horticulturist, Southwestern Washington Research Unit, Vancouver; R. W. Wilcox, Extension economist, Western Washington Research and Extension Center, Puyallup; and Pat Holloway, former WICHE intern assigned to the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, The Dalles, OR. Assistance from Washington State University is available to all persons, without regard to race, color, or national origin,