Forest Research Laboratory

The Forest Research Laboratory leads innovative approaches to forest management, wood-based renewable materials and understanding of forest ecosystems to improve the health and resiliency of Oregon’s forests, economy and communities.

OSU study identifies key factors in Douglas-Fir decline in Klamath Mountains and provides management solutions

Douglas-fir is among the world’s most economically important tree species and is abundant across southwestern Oregon, where it is the dominant species in many low to mid-elevation forests. Douglas-fir trees provide vital wildlife ...

Jan 2025 | Impact Story

OSU study identifies optimal forest management practices for carbon sequestration

Forest managers in the Pacific Northwest face the challenge of balancing timber harvests with maximizing above-ground carbon sequestration, a critical factor in combating climate change. The carbon stored in U.S. forests offsets 13% ...

Jan 2025 | Impact Story

OSU research enhances landslide hazard assessment following wildfire

Landslides, often triggered by extreme events such as heavy precipitation, wildfires and earthquakes, pose significant environmental, societal and economic risks. In the mountainous, forested terrain of the West, including Oregon, shallow...

Dec 2024 | Impact Story

New online tools simplify native bee identification in Pacific Northwest

Bees and other animal pollinators enhance the reproduction of nearly 90% of the Earth’s wild flowering plants, in addition to many food crops, and are an essential component of biodiversity. However, identifying native bees, ...

Dec 2024 | Impact Story

Born from necessity, Extension wildflower videos viewed hundreds of times

Each year, Rachel Werling, an instructor in the Oregon State University Forestry and Natural Resources Extension program, leads groups on hikes in Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley to teach them about natural history, fire safety, ...

Oct 2024 | Impact Story

Using science to inform policy for a wildfire-adapted Oregon

In response to longer and more severe wildfire seasons, a growing population living in the wildland-urban interface and the extensive impacts of the 2020 Labor Day fires, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 762 in 2021, ...

Sep 2024 | Impact Story

OSU Extension Fire Program fosters place-based partnerships

As a land grant university, Oregon State University takes research and innovation out of the labs and puts them into practice in the communities and landscapes around the state through Extension programs. While OSU’s influence ...

Aug 2024 | Impact Story

Exploring biochar as an alternative sudden oak death treatment

Sudden oak death disease has killed thousands of tanoaks on Oregon’s south coast. Since it was detected in Oregon in 2001, the standard practice to help slow the spread of the pathogen that causes the disease has been ...

Apr 2024 | Impact Story

After five-year hiatus, Tree School East returns to serve forestland owners

There are more than 79,000 family forest owners who manage 3.6 million acres of private forestland in Oregon. Oregon State University Extension Service’s Tree School provides a major opportunity for these managers to learn new ...

Mar 2024 | Impact Story

PSA campaign equips Central Oregon to become a fire-adapted community

Wildfire starts in Central Oregon have increased as more people recreate in local forests, build campfires, use equipment and burn debris to manage their properties. Climate change combined with a century of fire suppression has ...

Mar 2024 | Impact Story