CORVALLIS - Managers of the McDonald-Dunn College Forests at Oregon State University have begun a summer program to salvage a portion of the many downed trees that fell during a major winter ice storm last January.

Weeks of work by forest volunteers and staff following the storm helped to clear most trails and roads, but many areas of the forest remain covered by high densities of fallen trees, officials say.

The salvage plan is designed to protect forest health by reducing the potential for bark beetle infestation, due to the high densities of downed and decaying wood. It will also reduce fire danger from downed wood, recover the value in some of the fallen timber and improve aesthetics along forest roads and trails. Operations will continue all summer.

Not all of the downed trees will be salvaged. Some will be left because the cost to recover the wood is too high, and other wood will be left to meet the wildlife habitat requirements in the college's forest plan. A large number of trees will be left on upper Dan's trail in order to preserve the condition of the trail, avoid excessive overstory removal and preserve the scenic value of the trail.

As the salvaging efforts proceed, sections of roads and trails will be closed periodically. Upper Dan's, Homestead and possibly Calloway Creek trails will be closed for brief periods of time.

Recreational users of the forest are asked to not attempt clearing trees from the trails by themselves. Clearing trails can be dangerous and cutting trees will greatly reduce the timber value when it is salvaged.

For further information, please refer to the kiosks and signboards at all forest entry points. Forest visitors can also call the forest update number at (541) 737-4434 for weekly updates, or the main office at (541) 737-4452.

Source: 

OSU College Forests, 541-737-6072

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