Oregon Plants 2 Million Saplings as State Forests Recover From Massive Wildfire Losses
Following 1.2 million forest acres being lost to wildfire since 2020, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) planted over 2 million saplings this season to replenish some of the state’s timber harvest decimated by wildfire.
Over 2 Million Saplings Planted In Oregon State Forests
This winter’s spring-like weather has helped put this year’s planting schedule ahead, with approximately 2 million seedlings already in the ground. The trees planted this year were diverse, promoting resilience and providing additional types of timber products. This season, ODF planted:
| Species | Share | Approximate seedlings |
|---|---|---|
| Douglas fir | 74% | About 1,480,000 |
| Hemlock | 17% | About 340,000 |
| Western red cedar | 2% | About 40,000 |
| Noble fir | 2% | About 40,000 |
| Grand fir | 1% | About 20,000 |
| Sitka spruce | 1% | About 20,000 |
| Ponderosa pine | 3% | About 60,000 |
Hardwoods- mainly alder and bigleaf maple- will naturally seed later, creating a species mix that is fairly typical of western Oregon forests. The seedlings are grown by nine contracted northwest nurseries, and planting is done mostly by private contractors working for ODF.
Some planting and replanting the next year, mainly in the Tillamook State Forest, will be done by Adults In Custody from the South Fork Forest Camp, a facility jointly run by the Department of Corrections and ODF.
John Walter, ODF’s State Forests Silviculturist, confirmed that “All our districts are done or will be this month. The only exception being Klamath Lake—they typically plant into May and have about 60,000 to get in.”
ODF typically orders a little more than what will be planted in state forests to avoid running short. All the 2.3 million seedlings grown in controlled environments at the nurseries were shipped to ODF and held in large coolers until planting season.
This year, ODF has nearly 300,000 “extra” seedlings destined for Oregon’s forests- but not state forests. ODF typically sells, or sometimes donates, seedlings to watershed groups, other non-profits, and Oregon tribes.
Weather is the top determining factor in the survival rate of the seedlings, which also face threats from competing vegetation that could sucking up all the moisture. ODF evaluates each unit and uses herbicide to limit the competing vegetation.
Deer and elk browse, root damage (mainly from mountain beavers that live underground), insects, tree diseases, and wildfire are also minor threats.
Oregon Forests Still Recovering From Wildfires
After losing more than 1.2 million acres to wildfire since 2020, this year’s planting of 2 million seedlings in Oregon’s State Forests covers only a fraction of the damaged land, underscoring the urgent need for accelerated reforestation to restore timber supply and carbon storage capacity.
Source: Oregon Department of Forestry planting update / Oregon wildfire progress report / Oregon State University Extension
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State data shows Oregon set a record with 1.9 million acres burned in the 2024 wildfire season, far above the state’s 10-year average of 640,000 acres.
Researchers at OSU also say that demand for tree seedlings and planting contractors will be much higher than the available supply, and it could take 2 to 5 years before landowners can obtain seedlings and tree planters.