The January 2024 storm caused damage to many trees, but it also created opportunities for collaboration and for the repurpose of fallen timber. In this article, we will describe some of the ways in which this woody debris has been used to improve habitat for wildlife and for the rebuilding of historic structures.
Mt Tabor Park alone had 40 evergreen trees uproot. These trees fell into natural areas, over roads, trails, and in landscaped portions of the park. Most of the damage occurred in the north end of the park- especially around the playground and picnic area.
Urban Forestry and other Portland Parks & Recreation staff partnered with the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) to address trees in the most heavily impacted portion of the park. In these areas, craters left by uprooted trees were filled and some woody debris was even recovered for use in an upcoming stream restoration project.
While much material has been removed, some fallen trees will remain on-site, in natural areas of the park. In these spaces, cavity nesters including woodpeckers, other birds, and small mammals, such as bats, will find new homes and hiding spots under loose bark in decaying trees. Additionally, some fallen timber will serve as nurse logs for new trees and plants, providing nutrients and space for them to grow.
In coordination with the PP&R Carpentry Team, over thirty fallen logs were taken to a mill, to be processed into building lumber. This material will be used by the PP&R Carpentry Team for future parks projects, including at Mt. Tabor- in fact, the Mt. Tabor shelter will be rebuilt using lumber milled from the very trees that damaged it!
Please look for more updates later this year that will describe related salvage for streamrestoration and rebuilding efforts in city parks using Mt. Tabor logs.