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Thin trees to protect old-growth forests

Much has been proclaimed about how old-growth trees are fire-resistant. In many cases that was true. However, consider this report: A joint threat assessment released in June of 2024, “Mature and Old-Growth Forests: Analysis of Threats on Lands Managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.”

Currently, wildfire, exacerbated by climate change and fire exclusion, is the leading threat to mature and old-growth forests, followed by insects and disease. This report found that over 70% of mature and old-growth forests are at high risk of wildfire. Over the past two decades, nearly 700,000 acres of old-growth forests have been destroyed by wildfires. There are numerous examples in Southern Oregon where old-growth trees weren’t killed by crown fires, but from the heat of the burning of younger, smaller trees below them. Likewise, insects are destroying large swaths of old growth trees in the Applegate.

Drive out to witness the destruction for yourself.

Also found in the report, tree cutting (any removal of trees) is currently a relatively minor threat despite having been a major disturbance historically. From 1950 to 1990, these practices were the primary reason for loss of old-growth forests.

Now, I’m not advocating going back to cutting large old-growth trees; that manufacturing capability is clearly not here in Southern Oregon anymore. What I am advocating for, and you should be as well, is thinning trees from below in mature and old-growth forests that are not already set aside for some biological purpose.

Blair Moody, SAF Fellow Presidential Field Forester / Medford