Forest Thinning Tour May 23rd

 Join CCSWA May 23rd from 10-am to 3pm for a Forest Tour. See details below.

Saturday 5/30 N2N Defensible Space “Open Property” Invitation from Mike Cafferata

On behalf of Columbia Chapter Oregon Small Woodlands Association, Julie and I would like to invite you to a “Neighbor to Neighbor”  Open Property Event on Saturday May 30th.

Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Where: 30851 Cater Road, Warren, OR
Format: Drop in anytime—no formal start or program. Specialists will try to have short talks at 30 minute intervals if needed, otherwise just visit with them at their tables.
What you’ll see and learn:

• Defensible Space Example
  Representatives from the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) will be on-site to discuss defensible space principles and share insights about how wildfires spread to homes. This house has many (not all) of the defensible space recommendations.
• Access & Turnarounds for Fire Response
  See an example of the road access, driveway width, and turnaround space recommended by the fire department. Scappoose Fire will be on site to discus the recommendations.
• Pruning & Fuel Breaks
  Look at the fuel break along the driveway implemented to reduce fire intensity through pruning and surface fuel management – ODF staff will be available to talk about wildfire intensity and access.

Parking & Arrival:
Parking is somewhat limited, so please arrive at your convenience during the event window. This format should spread out traffic and hopefully make enough space.
After the Event:
Socializing is encouraged afterward at Sunshine Pizza in St. Helens. (On your own)
Hosted by Columbia County Small Woodlands Association, Oregon Forest Resources Institute, ODF, OSFM, and Scappoose Fire. We are not sending out postcards - the only invitation is by email and word-of-mouth. You are welcome to invite your neighbors!
Thanks!
Mike Cafferata

2026 Columbia County Small Woodlands Spring Dinner Meeting

Join us for the CCSWA Spring Dinner Meeting on May 2nd from 5-9pm at Fern Hill Grange, 72612 Fern Hill Rd, Rainier, OR 97048. You must RSVP to Mark Dreyer at 503-369-9592. See details below. We hope to see you there!

Columbia County Tree Seedlings and Planting Q&A

Date: Saturday, 3/7 at 6pm

Location: Zoom
Registration: https://beav.es/THr

Details: You've just bought your tree and shrub seedlings for your property...but what do you do next? Join Columbia County Small Woodlands Association and OSU Extension for an informal Q&A session on Zoom to get your questions answered and to chat with experts about caring for seedlings and best practices for planting. Please register using the link to receive the Zoom meeting invitation. Reach out to Jake Barker for any questions or help registering: jake.barker@oregonstate.edu, 503-397-3462.

2026 CCSWA Tree Sale Price List

The CCSWA Tree Sale is being held on Saturday March 7th from 8:30am to 1:30pm (volunteers arrive at 7:00am to setup). We are at the Columbia County Fairgrounds again this year. Enter the sale through Gate#2 off Bachelor Flat Rd. Please see the earlier post for all of the details. Here is the price list for the seedlings and bags of seedlings that will be available. Cash and checks only. We often sell out, so come early for best selection. We hope to see you there!

27th Annual Seedling Sale

Columbia County Small Woodlands Association is holding our Annual Tree Sale on Saturday March 7th in St Helens. We will be at the Columbia County Fairgrounds again this year. Please help us get the word out. We hope to see you there!

2026 CCSWA February Bare Root Forest and Riparian Seedlings Sale

 

We are now taking orders for our 2026 February Bare Root Forest and Riparian Seedlings sale. We will have Douglas fir and Western Red Cedar seedlings available. Douglas fir are 2-year-old (1 + 1) seedlings. Seed source is Vernonia 2.0 low elevation medium gain from the ODF J.E. Schroeder Seed Orchard.  This seedling is suitable for our Columbia County seed zone 5 and similar areas.  The western red cedar is a 2-year-old (P+1) seedling. We have a large crop of Douglas fir and cedar for 2026 and will be able to fill some large orders (>100 bags) of Douglas fir. There are 120 seedling per bag of Douglas fir and 100 seedlings per bag of Western Red Cedar. Seedlings will be available the 2nd Saturday in February 2026.

To order seedlings fill out the form at this link: CCSWA Reservation Request Form for 2026 Crop

If you have have questions, call Bill Hanson (503) 429-9101 or Mark Dreyer (503) 369-9592

August Forest Foraging N2N Tree Farm Tour

The Forest Foraging Tree Farm Tour is a Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) event and is being hosted by OSWA, OFRI, and the Columbia, Washington, and Yamhill OSWA Chapters. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and share a potluck meal with members from all 3 chapters and others in our community, and to learn about foraging in your forest. Because it is a N2N event, please feel free to invite others to join us. Be sure to RSVP. Here are the details:

Date: Saturday, August 9th
Time: Noon - 2pm
Location: 23515 Beaver Falls Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016
RSVP by 8/5/2025 to: Darcy Davis, 503-550-2361 cell/text, darcydavis4OSWA@gmail.com

We hope to see you there!

2025 CCSWA Summer Picnic

Please join us for the 2025 CCSWA summer picnic and farm tour.

Host Jack and Tobie Finzel
17933 Keasey Road
Vernonia Oregon 97064

You must RSVP to Mark Dreyer at 503-369-9592, mdreyer51@msn.com. See details below. We hope to see you there!

Twilight Tour of Bob Hoard's Tree Farm

The June Twilight Tour is being hosted by CCSWA and OSU Extension. Here are the details:

Wednesday 6/25 - Twilight Tour of Bob Hoard's Tree Farm

Hosted by the Columbia County Small Woodlands Association and OSU Extension

Date: Wednesday, June 25th
Time: 4pm - 7pm
Location: 71889 Fern Hill Road, Rainier, OR 97048