When long-time tree farmer and PropagationNation team member Harry Bhagwandin tells other property owners about planting redwoods in the Pacific Northwest, the most common response he gets is, “they grow here?”

 

Third generation farmer Don Studhalter has answered that question for himself over the past 35 years. 

 

Don’s grandparents arrived in Lewis County, Washington during the time of the Homestead Act in the late 1800’s. His father took up the family profession of farming beef and eventually turned to logging. The virgin trees were so enormous – 4 feet or more in diameter – that the only way to harvest them was by using massive quantities of dynamite. 

 

Initially, the family let the trees grow back naturally, but in the late 1950’s, Don bought 40 acres of land from his parents and began experimenting with intentionally growing all kinds of trees. He originally planted a more common fir and cedar mix, but in the early 90’s, he tried planting poplar, cedar, pine, fir, and redwood. 

 

When asked how he learned about planting redwoods in the Northwest, he retorted, “I don’t even remember.” But he did recall picking them up himself in California, where the redwood timber industry was in full swing with companies like Louisiana Pacific turning out thousands of redwood pallets that were shipped all throughout the country. 

 

Don was amazed to see the redwoods quickly climb to the same heights of the firs he had planted over a decade before and then surpass them. Visiting his property today, it is easy to find the same awe when wandering through his grove of around 200 redwoods that stand taller and wider than their Douglas fir neighbors. 

 

Potentially one of the most striking things about the space is how well the redwoods coexist with the more common PNW trees and understory species. Redwoods stand tall next to firs and cedars, not crowding them out, but working with them to provide a cooling and moisture-retaining shade to sword ferns, Pacific bleeding hearts, trailing blackberries, oxalis, Oregon grape, and more. There is a small stream nestled next to the grove that is undoubtedly buffered by the redwood root system, functioning like any other PNW tree to stabilize the soil bank and keep the stream healthy for aquatic life. 

 

The beauty of the redwoods lies not just in the way they so elegantly fit into the PNW ecosystem, but also in the future security they provide tree farmers like Don. In reflecting on the history of his farm, he said succinctly, “If I had this to do over, I’d plant it all redwood.”

 

Why? Redwoods grow faster than any other tree species Don has planted and have similar properties to cedar in terms of lumber products. 

 

Don explains “Cedar… I think it will be nonexistent because nobody plants [cedar] anymore. I think redwood will take their place. And you will probably get twice as much volume and it will be worth more money.

 

Sounds too good to be true? Well, we asked Don what the biggest challenge he has had with growing redwoods. He said, “The grass and the blackberries.” Don is clear that redwoods are the right tree for the PNW now and likely into the future.