Planting

From Seed to Seedling

Within two years after harvesting an area for timber and other forest products, Seneca Jones Timber Company replants the area for growing another crop of trees. The planning process that takes place to accomplish a smooth transition from harvest area to established young plantation requires about two years. This is how we regenerate our timberlands to ensure we will always have a generous supply of timber products and lush, green forests to enjoy.

The cones are dried and shaken to release the seeds that are then processed to remove any unwanted debris. The seed is finally sent to a testing lab for analysis and stored in sub-freezing temperatures to mimic the natural conditions of Winter in the forest.

Each seed is separated into distinct groups by the area the seeds were harvested. The State of Oregon has many different types of weather and topographical regions. In forestry these areas are called seed zones.  The following map shows how many different seed zones there are in Oregon.  Each zone is represented by a different color.

The seed zones are characterized by low and high elevation, dry and wet conditions, and latitude north and south within the State. The seed zones were set up to maintain the productive nature of tree species. A tree from a low and wet area or zone may not grow well in a high and dry zone. For instance, a tree that normally grows high up in the Cascade Mountains will not grow well, if it will even survive, in the Willamette Valley. Harvested areas will only be replanted with seeds that came from that same seed zone. This ensures a productive and healthy forest.

The amount of seed collected each year depends heavily on the weather during the preceding year. In some years there is no harvestable seed crop. Some seed zones only have a good crop of cones every ten years. The seed collected is tested for quality then stored for up to 10 years until we have need for their use. 

Each year a new crop of seedlings is planted that originated from the seed collected from our forestland. We also buy seed from other companies and gain seed from a seed orchard. 

A seed orchard is simply a stand of young trees that have good growth characteristics that are utilized to produce seed to rejuvenate forestland all across western Oregon.

The new seedlings planted in the forest are generally two years old. The seed is first sent to forest tree nurseries in the Pacific Northwest such as Phipps Forest Tree Nursery and grown in seedling beds or greenhouses for two years before they are ready to be planted in the forest.

Before they are planted in the forest, the seedlings are lifted from the beds in the nursery and packed into bags for transport to their final destinations. A short visit to a seedling cooler, where they are kept dormant, is required to keep the seedlings fresh and ready to grow. Then the trees are moved to the planting site each day for planting.

During the months of January, February and March, millions of trees are planted in Oregon. Seneca Jones Timber Company plants nearly two million trees every year. We accomplish this huge task by hiring planting crews. Each tree is carefully planted by one of these professional tree planters.