Oak woodland and oak savanna habitats were prominent in the southern Willamette Valley for thousands of years prior to the arrival of Euro- American settlers. These habitats were maintained by frequent, low intensity fires, many of which were deliberately set by native people in this area to enhance the availability of food. Oak savannas are characterized by broad-crowned Oregon white oaks growing widely-spaced within open meadow-like habitats. Oak woodlands are characterized by taller, narrow-crowned Oregon white oak and California black oak growing more closely together.
Studies have shown that more than 200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, including several rare species, use oak habitats. Because these oak habitats were maintained by fires, and because fires have been suppressed in the past 100 or so years, other tree species that are not fire-resistant, such as Douglas fir, are able to outgrow and shade out the historic oaks. As these stands of oaks disappear, the species that depend on them are also threatened. In order to preserve and restore the remaining oak habitats, the encroachment of Douglas fir and other trees must be managed. In some cases this means removing fir trees that are shading existing oak trees.
Wildlife species that depend on oak woodlands and savannas include the Western Gray Squirrel and White-breasted Nuthatch, which are both designated by the State of Oregon as sensitive species, and the Acorn Woodpecker, which is found almost exclusively in oak habitats.
Oak woodland and oak savanna habitats were prominent in the southern Willamette Valley for thousands of years prior to the arrival of Euro- American settlers. These habitats were maintained by frequent, low intensity fires, many of which were deliberately set by native people in this area to enhance the availability of food. Oak savannas are characterized by broad-crowned Oregon white oaks growing widely-spaced within open meadow-like habitats. Oak woodlands are characterized by taller, narrow-crowned Oregon white oak and California black oak growing more closely together.
Studies have shown that more than 200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, including several rare species, use oak habitats. Because these oak habitats were maintained by fires, and because fires have been suppressed in the past 100 or so years, other tree species that are not fire-resistant, such as Douglas fir, are able to outgrow and shade out the historic oaks. As these stands of oaks disappear, the species that depend on them are also threatened. In order to preserve and restore the remaining oak habitats, the encroachment of Douglas fir and other trees must be managed. In some cases this means removing fir trees that are shading existing oak trees.
Wildlife species that depend on oak woodlands and savannas include the Western Gray Squirrel and White-breasted Nuthatch, which are both designated by the State of Oregon as sensitive species, and the Acorn Woodpecker, which is found almost exclusively in oak habitats.