Douglas Fir Clones (0140)

Drive the I-5 Freeway north or south and view the evergreen mountains; strange to think that the green may be all the same tree, a clone of a unique Douglas Fir. Search “Douglas Fir Clone” or “Super Doug” on the web.  Speaking of the Internet, worldwide: direct us to recent research and readings about NW clones.  One wonders if Super Doug articles censored by the timber industry.  Biodiversity is lost when one plants monocultures. Cascadia Floristic Region had but 900 native plant species, the World has but 390,000. Competitively dominant clones cause native species extinctions, just like herbicides and climate change.  We once could walk to this tree’s stump.  Last year we said good-by to the McMurray Fir.  Trees were clear-cut, slash was crushed, and a grinder applied, herbicides were used, and small Super Doug’s planted.  We could have saved a few of these, even the stumps.  That said, the Pilchuck Tree Farm was willing.  The Gardens and Farm failed when we could not find insurance for the trucking of this monster’s remains.

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-31-mn-9240-story.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/04/science/scientists-try-to-create-forest-of-cloned-trees.html
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-31-mn-9240-story.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/04/science/scientists-try-to-create-forest-of-cloned-trees.html 
https://www.plc215.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Kiosk-01.pdf
https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/olympia/silv/publications/opt/695a_Howeetal2006.pdf
https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/files/ge_trees_2016_93322.pdf

How many unique species of vascular plants are found west of the Cascade Crest, from San Francisco to Alaska?

900
25,000
390,000

Comments, content, questions appreciated; email bb@plc215.org

Copyright © 2024