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<td><h2>Project Name: Moss Rock Oak Release</h2>
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<strong>Background Information:</strong> The project is being conducted on a 5-ac private parcel in a
rural residential neighborhood north of Corvallis, OR. Landowner’s Joan Hagar
and Dave Vesely were motivated to undertake the project in an attempt to save a
number of Oregon white oaks that were over-topped by conifers and bigleaf
maple. The release thinning started in October 2004 and is expected to be
completed in summer 2005. To date, project costs have been paid by the landowners
through the sale of Douglas-firs harvested during the thinning. 

<p><strong>Goals and Objectives:</strong>
The principle goal of the project is to sustain a patch of Oregon white oak
woodland on a landscape that is otherwise dominated by conifers and bigleaf
maple. A secondary goal is to reduce wildfire hazard around the home on the
property. Activities also will be directed toward increasing the availability
of acorns for wildlife and protecting uncommon native plants from invasive
weeds. </p>


<p><strong>Restoration Methods and Activities:</strong> Tree removal is being concentrated on the 4-16 inch dbh
grand fir, Douglas-fir, and bigleaf maple. Trees in this size class seem to be
having the most impact on the development of oak crowns. Approximately 10 very
large conifers (diameter &gt;20-in dbh) are being retained on the site for
red-tailed hawks and owls that nest on the property. All snags &gt;6-in dbh are
being retained for wildlife. Oaks that have lost too much crown to respond to
the thinning will be cut to encourage stump sprouting. Oak seedlings will be
planted between 2006-2008. False-brome is a significant threat to native
understory plants on the property. Control of this weed will be accomplished by
spot spraying with Fusilade<sup>tm</sup> 
and possibly grazing by sheep.</p>


<p><strong>Lessons Learned:</strong>
Logging in a densely-populated rural residential area demanded close attention
to the impacts of the project on neighbors. Some people worried about the
safety of children and pedestrians while trees were being felled. Others wanted
to know how we were going to keep logging slash from being a fire hazard.
Everybody wanted assurance that logs or machines wouldn’t damage the roads.
Hiring a logger that is familiar with these issues and can be diplomatic is
extremely important if you want to maintain harmony in your neighborhood. </p>


<p><strong>Further Information:</strong>
More information about the Moss Rock Oak Release can be obtained in the Oak
Restoration Database maintained by the Oregon Oak Communities Working Group (<a
href="http://www.oregonoaks.org/">www.oregonoaks.org</a>). </p>


<p><strong>Acknowledgements:</strong>
Project information and photos were contributed by Dave Vesely, Corvallis, OR.</p>

<img border=0 width=339 height=255
src="../pics/webpics/mossrock2.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025"></p>

<p><img border=0 width=343 height=257
src="../pics/webpics/mossrock4.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026">

<p>Top Photo: Typical conditions on the site prior to thinning.
</p>

<p>Bottom Photo: Post-thinning conditions. </p>
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