Willamalane removes 1,300 trees in filbert orchard project at Dorris Ranch

Another portion of the filbert orchards at Dorris Ranch in Springfield has been removed ahead of a replacement of those trees with a species more resistant to fungal infection.

Dorris Ranch reopened Thursday after being closed over the last month while filbert trees of a blight-susceptible species were removed and their stumps ground. The park was closed to keep visitors safe from flying wood and debris while trees were removed.

The Willamalane Parks and Recreation District, which operates the historic commercial filbert orchards at Dorris Ranch, has replaced swaths of trees in recent years to reduce the effect of eastern filbert blight. The fungus is a common problem for local producers.

Policy change: Willamalane to end use of most toxic pesticides at Dorris Ranch

If left untreated, eastern filbert blight creates raised sores on tree limbs, and trees will die within about eight years of infection, said Willamalane spokesman Kenny Weigandt.

The project to replace about 6,000 total trees in 12 of the13 orchards at Dorris Ranch is expected to take between 20 and 25 years and cost around $500,000, Weigandt said.

"It's a huge effort," Weigandt said.

Willamalane is swapping out the original Barcelona variety of filbert trees with Jefferson, Yamhill and Eta varieties that better resist eastern filbert blight, Weigandt said. Four acres of Barcelona trees will be kept so Dorris Ranch maintains its historic designation.

Willamalane began the project in 2016 by replacing the 1,200 trees in the Cannery and North Walnut orchards with 1,400 of the blight-resistant varieties, Weigandt said.

"This year, those trees harvested a very healthy and fruitful crop, which is a great sign for the future of Dorris Ranch," Weigandt said.

This month, Willamalane removed 1,300 trees from more than 19 acres and will replace them with 1,200 new ones. Fewer trees will be planted to give neighbors a bigger buffer.

The park will remain open during replacement planting, set to begin in February.

The Willamalane Board of Directors last year ceased using certain powerful pesticides that treated the trees for blight. Community concerned raised last summer led to the creation of an advisory committee that recommended switching to organic practices.

"Willamalane has always been committed to being good stewards of the environment, and reviewing our integrated pest management programs will continue moving forward," Willamalane Superintendent Michael Wargo said in a statement in December.

Tree harvest: Oregon's drought killed many young Christmas trees

While the park district is still reviewing its overall pesticide policy, Weigandt said the replacement strategy means a decreased need for blight treatment.

"These new species of trees will require less chemical treatment and will be a great asset for Willamalane as we are adjusting our treatment methods," Weigandt said.

Contact reporter Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@registerguard.com. Follow on Twitter @DuvernayOR.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Willamalane removes 1,300 filbert trees for replacement at Dorris Ranch