Is Wood Production Sustainable in the Pacific Northwest?

PNW Pacific Northwest Research Station

I n s i d e Defining the Issues ...... 3 Family Forest Owners ...... 4 Image Problems ...... 4 The Future Is Bright ...... 4 FINDINGS issue eighty four / june 2006 “Science affects the way we think together.” Lewis Thomas

KNOCK ON WOOD: IS WOOD PRODUCTION SUSTAINABLE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST?

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The Pacific Northwest is one of the world’s major timber-producing regions, and its capacity to produce wood on a sustained-yield basis is widely recognized. Nonetheless, there has been increasing public interest in assuring that forests are being sus- tainably managed, as well as a desire by landowners to demonstrate their commitment to responsible steward- ship. Scientists from several universities and the PNW Research Station recently completed an initiative to synthesize existing research on wood production in the region. The initiative was guided by the needs of forest Private lands in the Pacific Northwest should be able to maintain or exceed recent historical landowners and managers represent- harvest levels over the next 50 or more years given unchanged policies and levels of private ing forest industry, small private for- management investment. ests, and state forest lands. They concluded that forest fragmentation “Defining sustainability is have the climate to thank—lots of rain in the and land use change, stagnating tim- like trying to define justice or winter and sun in the summer; never too hot ber prices, and unfavorable public or too cold. democracy. There are opinion regarding the scenic quality of intensive forest management were many definitions and some Forests have always lured people to the region. Originally, it was the promise of abun- among the largest challenges to sus- consensus, but agreement over dant wood that attracted settlers. Indeed, tainable wood production in the the specifics is elusive.” the Pacific Northwest has long been one of region. New technologies and prod- —Donald Floyd, author of Forest Sustainability: the world’s great timber producers. During ucts in wood manufacturing, sustain- The History, the Challenge, the Promise the past couple of decades, perspectives on able harvest levels, niche market the forests have changed. Now it is the for- opportunities, and underutilized tree ew places on the planet are better at ests’ beauty and potential for recreation that growing big trees fast than the Pacific has enticed millions to carve out a piece to species were identified as opportuni- F Northwest. Lush conifer forests are call home. In a sad irony, the recent wave of ties for landowners and managers the quintessential icon of the region. Oregon settlement is jeopardizing the amenities that interested in sustainable forestry. even boasts a fir tree on its license plate. We attracted people in the first place. Population KEY FINDINGS 12

10 • In the future, the region’s wood supply will primarily come from private land, and the barriers and opportunities related to sustainable wood production will have 8 more to do with future markets, harvest potential, land use changes, and sustainable forestry options than with traditional sustained yield outputs. 6 Western Washington 4 • Private lands in the Pacific Northwest should be able to maintain recent historical harvest levels over the next 50 years given unchanged forest policies. Also, the price Population (millions) 2 Western Oregon premium for Douglas-fir has largely disappeared, and evidence suggests there will 0 be relatively stagnant timber prices in the region for the next five decades.

199520002005 2010 201520202025 2030203520402045 2050 • The amount of forest land area in the Pacific Northwest is decreasing, and most Year of it is being developed versus being cleared for agriculture. This trend will likely continue, as the region is expected to experience above-average population growth. Projected population for western Washington Low-elevation forests on the west side of the Cascades, which represent some of the and Oregon, 1995 to 2050. most productive forests in the world, are the forest lands most often converted to other uses. growth has caused extensive conversion of forest land to housing lots, removing the • The scenic quality of timber harvests is an important consideration when trees and fragmenting the landscape perma- developing socially sustainable silvicultural prescriptions. Although foresters’ nently. preferences tend to differ from the public at large, preferences are generally Those who wish to keep today’s forest lands ordered in a similar fashion for all groups that were surveyed. The public prefers as working forests into the future are strug- harvests that have some element of “green,” and a more natural appearance gling to stop the trend. They are trying to without large and recent clearings. find ways to ensure that growing trees for wood products is always a source of pride for the Pacific Northwest. One such person is is a rich body of scientific information landowners, state forest land managers, and Bob Deal. For the past few years he has been concerning wood production in the Pacific others interested in growing and producing investigating whether the region’s forests Northwest, but it doesn’t easily translate wood in the Pacific Northwest. have the capacity to produce wood, prod- into the information landowners need to “We let our clients frame the key issues for ucts, and services on a long-term basis in the answer the most important questions they us. We then set out to synthesize all the exist- context of human use and activities. Or, to struggle with,” he says. “We’ve been suc- ing information that addressed those issues. phrase that another way: Is wood production cessful at bringing the users and producers This is a new way of doing business, and I sustainable in the Pacific Northwest? of information together to address some of think the topics that we focused on could these questions.” Deal, a research forester at the PNW have been totally different if we had defined Research Station in Portland, Oregon, led The initiative began with a series of client the issues for ourselves,” says Deal. the Sustainable Wood Production Initiative meetings that included forest landowners to analyze the opportunities and barriers to and managers representing the forest sustainable forestry in the region. “There products industry, small private forest Purpose of PNW Science Findings 140 To provide scientific information to people who make and influence decisions about x

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1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Send new subscriptions and change of address information to [email protected] Timber prices in the Pacific Northwest have been through periods of stability as well as periods of growth and volatility. Sherri Richardson Dodge, editor [email protected] Keith Routman, layout Science Findings is online at: [email protected] http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/ United States Forest The site includes Science Update—scientific knowledge for pressing decisions about Department Service controversial natural resource and environmental issues. of Agriculture

2 Defining the Issues and owners and managers need to Once these questions were posed, answering private (also known as family forest) lands know what stands in the way of them became the directive for the initiative. near streams are the forest lands most often L success. In fact, according to Deal, But before moving forward, Deal added one converted to other uses. Alig’s work helps “the most important issue mentioned by more task to the list: “Develop a comprehen- identify areas that are most susceptible to almost all our clients was the need to identify sive communication strategy for reporting land use change, which then allows local and understand barriers to sustainable for- findings to a broad client base of land man- jurisdictions and states to target the most estry.” Immediately following this were ques- agers, researchers, and the general public.” valuable forest lands for protection into the tions about new opportunities and niches. After all, what’s the use of synthesizing all future. this information if there is no way to get the Overall, the clients felt that the Sustainable “Forest fragmentation and parcelization word out? Wood Production Initiative could help them is a problem for forest managers in that it address five essential questions: Deal collaborated with forestry experts reduces efficiency and economies of scale. • What are the major economic, ecological, from government agencies and universities It also reduces wildlife habitat and is a and social issues relating to sustainable throughout the region. The combined exper- widely recognized problem for biodiversity forestry? tise of economists, social scientists, market- conservation. Overall, this is one of the big- • What are the impacts of market incen- ing analysts, and old-fashioned foresters gest challenges to the economic, ecological, tives and environmental regulation on was harnessed to tackle the list of questions and social aspects of sustainable forestry,” sustainable forest management? raised by the client groups. says Deal. • What are the dominant trends and Two forest economists from Oregon State market conditions, including the long- University, Darius Adams and Greg Latta, term economic viability of forestry in agreed to help with questions regarding the region? the long-term viability of forestry. Adams • What are the niche market opportunities reported to client groups in March 2005 for family forest owners? that “if forest policy and investment levels are left unchanged, private lands as a whole • What are the emerging trends in wood should be able to maintain recent levels of products and wood technologies in the harvest.” That’s reassuring. Over the entire region? region, landowners are not cutting more than is growing back and, therefore, harvest levels can be sustained into the future. Barriers A and opportunities to sustainable forestry, 25 therefore, are less an issue of growth and Total private yield than they are social and economic Even though sawmill numbers have substan- 20 issues. tially decreased, their potential for processing is still high because milling capacity has been Vikram Yadama, a research professor and 15 Nonindustrial private consolidated into fewer, larger mills. extension specialist at Washington State University, offered his expertise on emerging 10 wood technologies. He is particularly excited Forest industry about wood-plastic composites, which can 5 be made entirely out of recycled products.

Timberland (million acres) “It is an ideal material for playgrounds and 0 roofing because it is nontoxic, and resistant 2000 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 to decay, insects, moisture, and heat,” says Year Yadama. As for barriers to sustainable forestry, B Ralph Alig, a research forester at the PNW 60 All private Research Station in Corvallis, Oregon, 50 raised a flag about forest fragmentation 40 and land use change. “The population is Forest industry 30 growing faster in the Pacific Northwest than most other parts of the country,” says 20 Alig. Couple this with the fact that people 10 Nonindustrial private are living in larger homes with fewer people Forest conversion and fragmentation was 0 in them and you can see the makings of a identified as one of the major barriers to 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 problem. sustainable wood production in the Pacific Growing stock (billion cubic feet) Year Of particular concern are the low-elevation Northwest. forests on the west side of the Cascade Private timberland area (A) and growing Range, some of the most productive forests stock inventory (B) in the Pacific Northwest. in the world. In this region, nonindustrial

3 Family Forest Owners ccording to Deal, one of the great Institute (OFRI), a Web site was developed, Busby, who are studying forest certifica- successes of the Sustainable Wood http://www.orforestdirectory.com, that tion, economies of scale are important. AProduction Initiative has been the brings together forest owners, log buyers, If certification rules are applied at a plot engagement of family forest owners with and manufacturers interested in their prod- level where each owner complies individu- the PNW Research Station. “Because they ucts. It is a community-based tool that is ally, costs are higher. If the spatial scale of are so diverse in their needs, I don’t think successfully connecting landowners to new certification is increased, distributing stan- we have traditionally served them as well as market niches. dards across ownerships, responsibilities the larger, more consolidated land manag- could be parsed out and costs reduced. Another potential niche for family forest ers, such as public agencies or the forest owners is forest certification. And again, “Although we are anticipating a premium industry,” he explains. Deal is helping supply information to land- for certified logs in the future, that has “Family forest owners cover the full spec- owners on this topic. “Getting forest lands still not happened. For now, we are try- trum of management styles. On one hand, certified can be expensive, but it does dem- ing to find ways to keep certification there are those engaged in intensive timber onstrate a commitment to responsible stew- viable for family forest owners by linking management, trying to optimize their ardship for forest landowners” he says. And groups together under a single certification wood production. On the other, there are according to two economists at Oregon State scheme, like American Tree Farms, so they landowners who emphasize passive man- University, Claire Montgomery and Gwen can share the costs,” says Montgomery. agement of their forests with aesthetics, wildlife viewing, or mushroom production as their main goals. And, of course, there is LAND MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS everything in between. The only thing they seem to have in common is a passion for • Market factors could create challenges for the implementation of sustainable forest their forests,” says Deal. management practices on private lands. The projected stagnation of prices for How do you help a constituency whose Douglas-fir may cause some landowners to respond to market signals in ways that needs are so diverse? Deal found that one are not supportive of sustainable forest management. of the best ways to make information flow is by linking landowners to each other. For • To change public sentiment regarding intensive forest management practices, the example, through a collaborative project forest industry will likely need to improve the visual quality of their treatments. with Oregon State University Extension, Visual impacts may be mitigated by retaining more trees, reducing slash, and the Oregon Small Woodlands Association facilitating rapid green-up. (OSWA), and the Oregon Forest Resource

Image Problems orestry has an image problem. And, time thinking about that question. They have between the preferences of foresters and like it or not, foresters need to worry asked thousands of people to rate the visual all other groups when it comes to the most F about their image. If the public per- quality of different silvicultural treatments. intensive timber harvest practices, especially ceives foresters, landowners, and managers “Our findings suggest that for most timber clearcutting. One immediate management as poor stewards of the land they will revoke harvest practices, preferences are generally implication is that forest practices resulting their proverbial social license to operate. ordered in a similar fashion for all groups of in greater tree retention, smaller openings, people. People prefer scenes that are ‘green’ and rapid green-up will serve to reduce the Public perception of forestry is based in and that have a natural appearance without visual impact of timber harvest practices,” large part on the visual quality of forest large and recent clearings,” says Bradley. says Bradley. Improving forestry’s image will landscapes, especially after harvest. This likely require the industry to improve the Not surprisingly, when it comes to judging begs the question: What should forests look visual quality of their harvests, especially in the appearance of a harvest and understand- like? visually sensitive landscapes such as travel ing how well the treatment will be perceived corridors. Gordon Bradley and his colleagues in by the general public, it is probably best the Forest Resources Department at the not to ask the forester who prescribed the University of Washington spend a lot of treatment. “There is a significant difference

The Future is Bright he Sustainable Wood Production On the challenges side, Deal cites the work place. Today Douglas-fir must compete Initiative is now coming to an end, by Richard Haynes, a researcher and pro- directly with other softwoods such as radiata T and Deal is pleased with what they gram manager with the PNW Research pine from New Zealand and loblolly and accomplished. “We’ve taken a hard look at Station, whose research documented the shortleaf pine from the Southeastern United the opportunities and challenges for sustain- loss of the premium price that Douglas-fir, States. Exacerbating the challenge is the able forestry in the region, and we’ve found the Pacific Northwest’s primary timber expectation of relatively stagnant timber plenty of both,” he says. species, once demanded in the market- prices in the Douglas-fir region for the next

4 Respondents to a questionnaire regarding the scenic quality of logging treatments had a strong preference for thinnings (upper left), a low preference for clearcuts (upper right), a medium-low preference for patch cuts (lower left), and a medium preference for two-age stands (lower right). several decades. This makes intensive forest of university and PNW Research Station FOR FURTHER READING management and other practices that sup- researchers who were given the task of inte- port sustainable forest management more grating and synthesizing information to Deal, Robert, L.; White, Seth M., eds. 2005. expensive to implement. address the needs of private and state forest Understanding Key Issues of Sustainable landowners and managers. What we learned Wood Production in the Pacific Northwest. On the bright side, Deal sees the Pacific was that sustainable wood production in the Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-626. Northwest as well positioned to continue as Pacific Northwest has more to do with future Portland, OR: U.S. Department of a world leader in wood production owing to markets, harvest potential, land use change, Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific its proximity to California and the Pacific and sustainable forestry options than with Northwest Research Station. 67 p. Rim along with the existing infrastruc- traditional sustained yield outputs.” ture of mills and transportation systems. Zobrist, K.W.; Gehringer, K.R.; Lippke, Additionally, there is tremendous room for “To me, the future of sustainable wood pro- B.R. 2004. Templates for sustainable ripar- growth owing to the diversity of landowner duction seems bright,” he adds. ian management on family forest owner- objectives and the increased value in under- ships. Journal of Forestry. 102(7): 19–25. “Sustainable development utilized species, such as red alder. Alig, R.J.; Plantinga, A.J. 2004. Future forest is a compelling moral and In looking back at his experience, Deal land area: impacts from population growth says, “The sustainable wood production ini- humanitarian issue” and other factors that affect land values. tiative was a very successful collaboration —Colin Powell, former Journal of Forestry. 102(8): 19–24. U.S. Secretary of State

WRITER’S PROFILE Jonathan Thompson is an ecologist and freelance writer. He lives in Corvallis, Oregon.

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scientist profile BOB DEAL is a research Northwest and Alaska. Deal’s research COLLABORATORS silviculturist and team interests include stand development, regen- Richard Haynes and Ralph Alig, leader for the Sustainable eration, silvicultural systems including PNW Research Station Wood Production Initiative alternatives to clearcutting, and practices (SWPI), Pacific Northwest to enhance compatible forest management. Darius Adams, Clare Montgomery, Research Station and a Andrew Plantinga, David Hibbs, His current research focuses on emerging Oregon State University member of the Focused issues for sustainable forest management Science Delivery Program. and synthesizing information on the bar- Gordon Bradley, Bruce Lippke, As team leader of the riers and opportunities for sustainable Kevin Zobrist, John Perez-Garcia, SWPI, he manages a team wood production in the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington of station scientists and university cooperators He is a certified forester, a member of the who conduct research on the economic, ecologi- Vikram Yadama, Washington Society of American Foresters (SAF) and State University cal, and social issues related to sustainable wood a member of the SAF National Science production in the Pacific Northwest. Committee. He received a B.S. in biology from the Evergreen Deal can be reached at: State College, an M.S. in silviculture from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. in forest Forestry Sciences Laboratory resources from Oregon State University. He has 620 S.W. Main Street, Suite 400 25 years of professional forester and research Portland, Oregon 97205 experience working throughout the Pacific Phone: (503) 808-2015 E-mail: [email protected]

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