A summer drive through Ebey’s Reserve reveals thriving fields of barley, corn, and other crops that we commonly associate with agriculture. But there’s another, far less conventional, crop that grows in Ebey’s Reserve: the seeds of Douglas-fir, noble fir, western hemlock, western red cedar, and western white pine trees. This crop, which is used for reforestation, is raised at Longview Timber’s seed orchard. The orchard, which was protected in 2005 by the Whidbey Camano Land Trust via a conservation easement, is opening for rare presentations and public tours on April 16th and 17th.
"Whidbey Island is an ideal location for the seed orchard because the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains makes the weather extremely dry in May and June," says Dan Cress, the independent consultant who will be giving presentations and leading tours along with Rick Brooker of Longview Timber. "May and June is when the buds for next year’s pollen and cone buds set, and dry weather has a huge impact on the quality and quantity of cones that get picked a year and a half later."
The seed orchard is young and not yet in full production, but in another six years, it will produce tens of thousands of cones that will be shipped to Oregon. There, the seeds will be extracted from the cones and then shipped to tree nurseries across the Northwest, where they’ll be sown. The trees spend one or two years in the nurseries before being hand planted in Western Washington and Oregon. It takes forty to sixty years for them to grow to harvestable size, and then the cycle begins again.
When it’s in full production, the 38-acre seed orchard will generate enough seeds reforest 4,000 acres of land every other year.
There are two free presentations and tours: one takes place on April 16th from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and another on April 17th from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Each participant will receive several free tree seedlings of different varieties at the end of the tour. Space is limited. To take part, please sign up in advance by calling the Whidbey Camano Land Trust at (360) 222-3310 or by emailing info@wclt.org. The Land Trust will provide directions when you reserve your spot.
Labels: seed orchard tour
We have a new round of wetland plants to put around our stream. Come and see how our previous plantings are doing and add to the restoration efforts! Please RSVP by calling Jessica at 360.222.3310.
Wednesday, April 14
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
LocationThere are prairie plants ready to go into the ground. Bring your knee pads and come restore our native prairie! We'll also be doing some weeding if we have time. Please RSVP by calling Jessica at 360.222.3310.
Saturday, April 10
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We’ll be attacking the invasive species that are on the property. Scotch broom and blackberries will be our main targets. We’ll spend the first part of the work party down by the start of the trail then walk up to the old airstrip and work along there as well. So come on out for a nice walk and some rewarding invasive removal!
Saturday March 27th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
GPS coordinates
Help us plant small bare-root shrubs in the forest area and see how our previous plantings are doing. We’ll also be working on establishing the new loop trail that will connect with our bridge over the wetland. Enjoy the views and see how much we have accomplished so far!
Friday Mar. 12th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon
GPS coordinates
47.928112,-122.384592
For Valentine’s Day, the Whidbey News Times ran a beautiful story about a loving gift of land. George Fairfax, retired Oak Harbor physician, donated a 50 acre parcel to the Land Trust in loving memory of his wife, Del. This forest and meadow preserve is now owned and managed by the Land Trust and it is for gentle, public use. That means walking, jogging, birdwatching, and other low impact activities. Look for the sign. Here’s how you get there.
Directions: Access to the Fairfax property is located off Zylstra Road, north of Hastie Lake Road and south of Fort Nugent Road.
From Coupeville and south, take Highway 20 north and turn left onto Zylstra Road. Head north on Zylstra Road for approximately 3 miles until you see the Zystra Road Fire Station on your left. Turn left onto a wide gravel road in front of the fire station and park on the right next to the fence. The Del Fairfax sign will be in front of you. Please do not block the gravel road or the Zylstra Road Fire Station bay doors.
From Oak Harbor and north, head south on Highway 20. Turn right onto Hastie Lake Road. Turn right onto Zylstra Road. Follow the directions above.
Enjoy the gift of George Fairfax to the community. Treat it gently.
Read the whole article.
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