The New Forest
New Forest
Our 45-acre forest was clearcut in the mid-1980s by the previous owners, a Christian community called Shiloh. They loved the forest, but as is sometimes the case with destructive practices, they resorted to clearcutting as a desperate survival measure under extreme financial duress. The clearcut was not commercially herbicided or replanted at the time, as is the conventional practice, but left fallow for several years. This allowed the natural process of recovery to occur, creating a unique habitat composed primarily of small, early succession decidiuous species, including a large stand of cascara, which we use for weaving fences, building projects, and firewood. Hazel, alder, vine maple, oak, and a diverse population flora and fauna are also present. Over the years we have planted thousands of native conifers, mostly cedars and various species of firs, in addition to the many that have naturally reseeded. We continue to release and nurse the young native trees to enhance the forest and create a natural multi-story forest. This unique habitat provides particularly beneficial habitat for an extensive variety of birds.
Our 45-acre forest was clearcut in the mid-1980s by the previous owners, a Christian community called Shiloh. They loved the forest, but as is sometimes the case with destructive practices, they resorted to clearcutting as a desperate survival measure under extreme financial duress. The clearcut was not commercially herbicided or replanted at the time, as is the conventional practice, but left fallow for several years. This allowed the natural process of recovery to occur, creating a unique habitat composed primarily of small, early succession decidiuous species, including a large stand of cascara, which we use for weaving fences, building projects, and firewood. Hazel, alder, vine maple, oak, and a diverse population flora and fauna are also present. Over the years we have planted thousands of native conifers, mostly cedars and various species of firs, in addition to the many that have naturally reseeded. We continue to release and nurse the young native trees to enhance the forest and create a natural multi-story forest. This unique habitat provides particularly beneficial habitat for an extensive variety of birds.
Our diverse young forest contrasts with the douglas fir
monoculture common in Oregon and will serve as a
multi-ecosystem and multi-functional forest in the future.
monoculture common in Oregon and will serve as a
multi-ecosystem and multi-functional forest in the future.