History
Early Research
Forest
Service research dates back almost to the time the national forests
were created. The first study in the Pacific Northwest was started
in 1909 to determine tree volume, taper, and bark thickness of hundreds
of trees. Permanent growth plots were established on the Willamette
National Forest in 1910. In that same year, research began at Wind
River (Carson), Washington, to learn more about reforestation following
a wildfire. In 1913, the Wind River Forest Experiment Station was
established as the first Forest Service research facility in the
Pacific Northwest.
In the early days of research, much emphasis was placed on developing
knowledge necessary to harvest timber, allow for adequate regeneration
of the forests, and protect other resource values. Timber harvest
practices--clearcutting in Douglas-fir and selective cutting in
ponderosa pine--were developed. Forests were surveyed for age, volume,
and growth rate. Research was begun on watershed protection and
forest insect problems. Gradually, as forest management became more
intensive in the Pacific Northwest, the research program was expanded
to help meet demands for new information. New laboratories were
built at various locations in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington.
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