Blue spruce ( Picea pugens )
This common tree in the inland west grows well as a Christmas tree in the Willamette Valley but tends to have severe insect and disease problems if left to grow for timber. It is not recommended for timber plantings.

Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens )
Long-living, giant conifer native to the coast of northern California and southern Oregon . It is damaged by freezes, but recovers by producing new growth. Is tolerant of shade and likes moist, well-drained areas. It can reach more than 3 feet in diameter and more than 100 feet in height in 50 to 60 years.

Coast redwood is the rarest forest type in Oregon . It is the northern-most extension of the much larger redwood forest of northern California , reaching only about 10 miles into southern Oregon . In general, Oregon 's redwoods are found on mountain slopes, rather than in river bottoms like their California counterparts, and don't grow as large as their southern neighbors.

Redwoods are tough trees. They are tolerant of shade, have thick bark that resists fire damage, have heartwood that repels insects and decay, and sprout following injury or burial from flooding.

Because redwoods naturally regenerate from root suckers and stumps, small groups of trees ranging from young to very old may actually be sprouts from the same individual. As a result, individual trees can live for more than a thousand years and stands can occupy sites almost indefinitely, regenerating themselves following disturbance.

Climate: Redwood forests occur in wet, mild maritime climates with frequent summer fog. “Fog drip” * is an important source of moisture, especially in the drier summer months.

Management: Redwood forests can be managed as even- or uneven-aged stands, with clearcut or individual tree selection harvesting techniques. The wood from these forests is used for a variety of lumber, furniture, and bark products.

Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Character: Large, sun loving conifer capable of living hundreds of years, attaining more than 200 feet tall and 10 feet in diameter.

Ecology: Douglas-fir forests are the most extensive in Oregon ; they're also the most important for timber production. Although Douglas-fir is the dominant forest tree west of the crest of the Cascades, it's also an important component of eastside forests. West of the Cascades, Douglas-fir often forms vast, nearly pure stands, a result of both natural conditions and human management. Common associates include western hemlock (the climax species for much of this region), western redcedar, noble fir, bigleaf maple, and red alder (the most common early successional species for most of this region).

East of the Cascades, common associates include incense-cedar, sugar pine, western white pine, ponderosa pine, grand fir, white fir, and western larch, depending on moisture and stand history. Understories vary from dense to sparse depending on the availability of moisture, but are generally rich in shrubs and herbs. Douglas-fir is a long-lived, early- to mid-successional species. This means that it can colonize recently disturbed sites, but continue to dominate them for hundreds of years.

Climate: Douglas-fir forests grow under a wide variety of conditions. The climate of westside Douglas-fir forests ranges from wet and mild in the north to drier and warmer in the south. Eastside Douglas-fir forests are drier than those of southwestern Oregon and have more extreme temperature fluctuations, both daily and seasonally.

Management: Prior to human management, Douglas-fir forests originated following large disturbances such as fire, landslides, and windstorms, resulting in a combination of even- and uneven-aged stands. Douglas-fir trees become commercially valuable around the age of 30 years. Over most of the west side, timber management practices such as clearcutting and shelterwood harvests followed by planting and thinning result in even-aged forests. Rotation lengths range from 30 years to hundreds of years, depending on management objectives. In drier areas like southwestern and eastern Oregon , management practices commonly include individual tree and small group selection harvests, resulting in uneven-aged stands.

Uses: Known worldwide as the premiere structural wood, Douglas-fir is used for a wide variety of building products. Older Douglas-fir are important as homes for nesting birds, and decadent trees and snags are a key source of cavities for woodpeckers and other birds. Millions of Douglas-fir Christmas trees are also exported from Oregon each year.

Grand fir ( Abies grandis)
Character: Medium to large, shade tolerant conifer up to 150 feet tall.

Distribution: Common on cool, moist sites from the Valley floor up into the foothills. Without frequent fires, grand fir would likely be the climax conifer species in old growth forests on the Valley floor.

Uses: Grand fir is used for a variety of wood products, although not as highly prized as Douglas-fir. It is also a popular Christmas tree for many locals.

Incense-cedar ( Libocedrus decurrens)
Character: Medium to large sun-loving conifer up to 150 feet tall.

Distribution: Southern Willamette Valley foothills on drier sites. The Willamette Valley is at the northernmost end of the range for this species, which is common throughout the mountains of southwestern Oregon .

Uses: Known as pencil cedar because of its historic use for pencils, the aromatic wood of this species is used for a wide variety of wood products. The trees often develop heart rots at older ages and become excellent habitat for cavity nesting birds.

Leyland cypress
This hybrid between Monterey cypress ( Cupressus macrocarpa ) and Alaska yellow-cedar ( Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ) is currently showing positive results on a variety of sites throughout the Willamette Valley but stands are generally less than 20 years old, so there is yet much to learn about the suitability of this tree to Willamette Valley weather cycles. It appears to be somewhat tolerant of both shade and poorly drained soils, but has its best growth on moist, well-drained sites.

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)
Lodgepole pine is a two-needled pine of the subgenus Pinus. Cones and needles are much smaller than those of our other pines; egg-shaped cones seldom longer than an inch or two; needles are one to three inches long and often twisted; bark is thin and lightly covered with loose, flaky scales.

Lodgepole pine forests grow in dense stands with lots of dead trees. They are very susceptible to insect attacks, especially mountain pine beetles, and are frequently in danger from fire.

Climate: Lodgepole pine is an adaptable species that often flourishes where other trees cannot. Lodgepole forests are found in climates with short, dry summers and snowy winters. They commonly occur in frost pockets and on both excessively wet and dry soils.

Management: These forests are typically harvested via clearcutting, shelterwood, and seed tree methods that encourage the growth of more valuable ponderosa pine.

Uses include paper and composition board; lumber, poles, fiber products, fencing material, and mine timbers.

Noble Fir ( Abies procera )
Noble Fir is the primary Christmas tree grown in Oregon . If left to grow for timber, noble fir only become timber sized on moist, well-drained sites above about 1000 feet elevations. At lower elevations, they tend to suffer from root rot and other ailments, which shorten their lives and deform them. There are several other true firs such as Nordmann ( Abies nordmanniana ), Turkish ( Abies bornmuelleriana ) and Fraser ( Abies fraseri ) fir which are grown for Christmas trees, but none of these species are currently recommended for forest plantings.

Pacific yew ( Taxus brevifolia )
Character: Generally a small evergreen, understory tree seldom above 40 feet in height.

Distribution: Widely distributed in the Pacific Northwest , yet seldom found in large concentrations. Often in moist, shady areas and as an understory tree in older forests.

Wildlife Uses: Birds love to eat the fruits (called arils), yet they are poisonous to humans.

Interesting Facts: This is a species many people remember for its bark as a treatment for ovarian cancers. Years ago, there was some concern that the species may be over-harvested as pickers collected bark. Today the medicine is synthesized from English yew foliage. Will sprout and the wood is quite durable, in part because it is a slow-growing species.

Ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa)
Character: Medium to large conifer up to 200 feet tall that grows on the full range of Valley soils. Ponderosa pine found in the Willamette Valley is genetically very different than eastern Oregon ponderosa. Local plantings should use Willamette Valley sources.

Distribution: Historic range has been reduced significantly by agriculture and development, but it is capable of growing on most Valley sites below 1000 feet elevation.

Uses: Currently there are not enough natural stands to create a market for its wood, but the wood has been used historically for a wide range of products. Potentially a valuable tree for use in riparian plantings, poorly drained sites or where summer drought is an issue. Has a deep root system, which makes it well suited to urban uses, and for mixing with grazing in agroforestry applications.

Ecology: Ponderosa pine forests are widely distributed in eastern Oregon , ranging in elevation from 2500 to 6000 feet. Ponderosa pine occurs in pure stands or may be mixed with lodgepole pine, grand fir, Douglas-fir, western larch, western white pine, incense-cedar, white fir, and quaking aspen. Volcanic pumice soils often support pure stands of ponderosa pine. Ponderosa pine is also an important component of the mixed-conifer forests of southwestern Oregon , but does not form pure stands there. The Willamette Valley of western Oregon also supports a native population of ponderosa pines.

Climate: Ponderosa pine forests are the second driest forests in Oregon ; they thrive in climates with short, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. The range of these forests is closely tied to soil moisture.

Management: Fire has shaped these forests. Historically, frequent ground fires, both human-caused and natural, maintained open, park-like conditions. Fire suppression during the past 100 years has left many stands over-crowded with more shade-tolerant trees. These forests are now very susceptible to insects and fire. They can be returned to more natural and healthy conditions with a combination of thinning and fire. Removing the entire overstory can lead to extreme soil temperatures and poor regeneration, making it difficult for ponderosa pine to regenerate naturally. As a result, uneven-aged forestry is often practiced, typically with single-tree selection as the harvest technique. Ponderosa pine is prized for lumber and may other uses; its color and beauty attracts movie makers and recreationists alike for its photogenic forest scenes.

Sierra redwood/giant sequoia ( Sequioadendron giganteum)
Giant, long-living conifer native to the Sierra-Nevada Mountains in California. Grows extremely fast, with a pleasant, Christmas tree shape, but needs lots of room as it may reach several feet in diameter and well over 100 feet tall. Avoid poorly drained areas. Its value as a timber species is doubtful, yet it can grow to become a magnificent specimen tree.

Sitka Spruce - Piccea sitchensis
Largest of the spruces. 125' to 180' tall, and 3' to 5' in diameter, with an open crown of somewhat pendulous branchlets; bases of very large trees frequently buttressed. Moist, well-drained sites along the coast, seldom more than 50 miles from the Pacific Ocean and usually much less. Ranges from southern southeastern Alaska southward along the coast to northern California . Elevational range: sea level to 4,000 feet in the north, seldom above 1,800 feet in the Pacific Northwest .

Western hemlock ( Tsuga heterophylla )
Character: Large, shade tolerant conifer of up to 200 feet tall.

Distribution: Found in the foothills of the Cascades and Coast Range on moist sites (generally more than 60 inches of annual rainfall). On these sites, this tree would be the dominant climax tree species in old-growth forests.

Uses: Hemlock is prized for trim products, windows and doors. Older trees are prone to rot, which makes them excellent sources of cavities for birds.

Climate: The climate of this zone is wet and mild. Frequent and dense summer fog helps limit the evaporative power of the sun, while “fog drip” that condenses on tree crowns adds to soil moisture.

Management: These forests are among the most productive in the world. Clearcutting followed by planting is the most common timber management practice, but recently a disease called Swiss needle cast has caused managers to reconsider where to plant Douglas-fir. Plantations are commonly invaded by western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and red alder, resulting in mixed stands. Thinning is a key to maintaining the productivity and vigor of these stands. Western hemlock/Sitka spruce forests have traditionally provided pulp for high quality paper; they are also managed for specialty wood products and a variety of wildlife.

Western Larch - Latrix occidentalis
A large tree 100' - 180' tall, and 3' - 4' in diameter; with soft, feathery foliage borne in clusters on spur shoots. Found on moist mountain slopes, flats and near streams. Ranges from southeastern British Columbia southward through eastern Washington to northern and northeastern Oregon , eastward to western Montana .

Ecology: Western larch , one of the world's few deciduous conifers, is noted for its brilliant golden autumn colors. Rather than forming extensive forests, stands of western larch commonly develop within Douglas-fir, grand fir, and ponderosa pine forests following fire or major disturbance from wind, soil movement, or logging. Without periodic disturbance, larch stands will eventually be taken over by Douglas-fir on drier sites or grand fir on milder sites. Lodgepole pine, western hemlock, western white pine, and Engelmann spruce also occur in this forest type.

Climate: Western larch prefers cool, moist sites and depends on frequent disturbance.

Management: Because of its intolerance to shade, western larch is managed with even-aged techniques such as clearcutting, shelterwood, and seed tree cuttings that encourage soil disturbance and improve chances for natural regeneration. Controlling competing species and creating mineral seedbeds with fire is essential to maintaining western larch in forest stands. Larch is harvested for high quality lumber that is resistant to decay.

Western Red Cedar ( Thuja plicata)
Character: Medium to large, long-lived, shade tolerant conifer up to 150 feet tall.

Distribution: Moist sites along streams and near springs or other wet areas. More prominent in the foothills of the Cascades and Coast Range where rainfall is higher than on the Valley floor.

Uses: Wood from redcedar is prized for decks, siding and shake roofs because of its rot resistance. Redcedar is an important conifer along streams where it provides large woody debris for healthy stream structure.

Bigleaf maple ( Acer macrophyllum)
Character: Medium to large, shade tolerant broadleaf tree up to 120 feet.

Distribution: Widely distributed throughout the Willamette Valley and foothills. Capable of growing on a wide variety of sites and soils, and regenerating in the shade of other species.

Uses: Wood used for furniture, cabinets and other uses. Maple is an excellent habitat tree due to its palatable foliage, good seed production and nesting possibilities.

Bitter Cherry ( Prunus emarginata )
Character: Medium deciduous tree up to 50 feet.

Distribution: Grows on moist, sunny sites throughout the Willamette Valley .

Wildlife Uses: Deer and elk will eat leaves and twigs. Birds and small mammals will eat the fruits, as do we humans.

Interesting Facts: The fruit, as its name implies, is very bitter.

Black cottonwood ( Populus trichocarpa)
Character: Fast growing, large broadleaf tree that can grow up to 200 feet tall and more than 8 feet in diameter. Although fast growing, this sun-loving tree does not have a long life span, with trees rarely growing more than 100 years.

Distribution: Restricted to stream and river courses throughout the Willamette Valley floor and foothills. Particularly well suited to well-drained, gravelly soils near streams. Tolerant of flooding.

Uses: Wood historically used for paper, but also can be used for plywood and lumber. Leaves and shoots highly prized as food for many wildlife species.

Black walnut ( Juglans nigra var. hindsii )
Black walnut plantings in the Willamette Valley date back to white settlement in the mid-1800's. Many fine specimen trees exist on old farmsteads, and during the past 20 years new plantings have been established on farms throughout the Valley. Growing much faster than its Midwestern cousins, the successful trees in the Willamette Valley appear to be hybrids between black walnut ( Juglans nigra) and the Hinds variety native to the Sacramento Valley in California. Localized planting stock is generally available through the Oregon Chapter of the Walnut Council. Walnut trees need full sunlight and prefer deep, well-drained soils such as those along the major rivers in the Valley.

Cascara buckthorn ( Rhamnus purshiana )
Character: Seldom taller than 40 feet and often more shrubby.

Distribution: Usually in the understory, found throughout the Willamette Valley on moist, well-drained sites.

Wildlife Uses: The cherry-like fruit is inedible to humans. Grouse and raccoons eat the fruit and will pass the seed undigested so it may be widely distributed.

Interesting Facts: Cascara means “bark” in Spanish. This bark contains a natural and powerful laxative and is still collected for that purpose.

Chokecherry ( Prunus virginiana )
Character: Small tree or large deciduous shrub seldom above 30 feet.

Distribution: Moist, sunny sites in the southern Willamette Valley .

Wildlife Uses: Deer and elk will eat leaves and twigs. Birds and small mammals will eat the fruits, as do we humans.

Unique Facts: Legend has it the Sacagawea was captured by Blackfoot while she collected chokecherry and taken east where she met Lewis & Clark.

Golden chinquapin ( Castanopsis chrysophylla )
Character: Evergreen broadleaf tree to 80 feet tall or as a shrub at higher elevations it may be a shrub. Intermediate shade tolerance.

Distribution: Scattered, on well-drained, usually rocky soils in the foothills forests of the southern Willamette Valley below 5000 feet.

Wildlife Uses: The burr-covered fruit contains two triangular nuts popular with chipmunks and squirrels. Interesting Facts: The tree looks like a cross between a chestnut and oak. The leaves are golden on the underside.

Oregon ash ( Fraxinus latifolia)
Character: Small to medium, shade-tolerant broadleaf tree to 100 feet tall .

Distribution: Tolerance to standing water allows this tree to grow on the most poorly drained Valley soils, where no other tree species will grow. Common along Valley watercourses and swales.

Uses: Wood is prized for flooring, cabinetry and other high-value wood products, but trees grow slowly and there is not a well-developed local ash industry.

Oregon white oak ( Quercus garryana)
Character: Slow growing medium broadleaf tree to 80 feet. Although capable of growing hundreds of years, this species needs disturbance from fire or grazing on Douglas-fir sites to remain competitive.

Distribution: Valley floor and foothills on wet to dry sites.

Uses: Wood is prized for wine barrels and can be used for furniture and other products. Excellent firewood species. Excellent habitat species, producing acorns, nesting cavities and other habitat features.

Pacific dogwood ( Cornus nutallii )
Character: Shade tolerant large shrub or small deciduous tree to 30 feet.

Distribution: Often an understory tree found on moist, well drained soils throughout the Willamette Valley .

Wildlife Uses: The bright orange to red “berries” are popular with various birds in the fall and winter.

Interesting Facts: The showy white bracts in bloom are spectacular and many wonder who planted these trees out in the wild. Yet they are native with a name adapted from the skewers or dags made from this wood.

Pacific Madrone ( Arbutus menziesii)
Character: Evergreen broadleaf tree up to 100 feet tall. Bark has a distinctive reddish brown color and peels in the fall.

Distribution: Widely across the western Willamette Valley on well-drained, sunny sites.

Wildlife Uses: The red orange berries are popular in the fall. Bees like the flower clusters in spring.

Interesting Facts: Wood is hard and valuable for woodworking, but tends to check as it dries.

Red alder ( Alnus rubra)
Character: Fast growing, medium broadleaf tree up to 120 feet tall. Short life span but well suited to the dynamic environment near streams.

Distribution: Common along stream courses in the Coast Range and Cascades below 2000 feet elevation. On moist sites it will grow across the landscape.

Uses: Broadly acclaimed for a variety of high-value wood products. Alder also fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere and is an excellent recycler of nutrients. Important riparian species for habitat.

Vine maple ( Acer circinatum )
Character: Shrub or small deciduous tree to 20 feet with multiple stems.

Distribution: Widely across the Willamette Valley , on moist sites in the shade of Douglas-fir or hemlock.

Wildlife Uses: The foliage may be browsed by deer and elk. The propeller-shaped seed is used by a wide variety of birds and small mammals.

Willow ( Salix spp. )
Character: Deciduous, sun loving shrubs or small trees. There are many species of willow, yet all seem to have a shrubby form, generally less than 30 feet tall, with many branches and no distinct top.

Distribution: Typically associated with water and often the last plant before you step into the water. However, some species may look like trees and thrive away from water.

Wildlife Uses: Twigs, flowers and leaves are all consumed. Rabbits, mice, beaver and grouse may eat the bark; deer eat the stems.

Interesting Facts: Willows can interbreed and as a result become difficult to identify. Perhaps one of the first species used by Native Americans for making baskets and snares.

White alder ( Alnus rhombifolia )
Character: Medium, broadleaf tree up to 120 feet tall. Short-lived species that is intolerant of shade and drought.

Distribution: On wet sites along rivers and streams near the Valley floor. Prefers sites with moving water.

Uses: Similar to red alder (see below) but is not commonly managed for timber production. Important riparian tree for some Valley streams.