Oregon is an exciting and fascinating part of the United States that is home to some incredible forests. Forested areas cover nearly half the state, and the vast majority of forests are conifers. This area also features the rare temperate rainforest.
It’s possible to see old-growth ancient trees in this area of the country, with some western red cedar trees reaching over 1,000 years of age.
Table of Contents
Types of Forests in Oregon
Oregon is home to some incredible forests and woodland areas filled with ancient trees and beautiful, dense vegetation. It may surprise some people to learn that Oregon is actually home to a rainforest. Rich in vegetation, visitors will be pleased to find various tree types as the type of forest will change from one part of the state to another.
Conifer Forest
Oregon is home to many coniferous forests, which, as the name implies, consist mainly of conifer trees. These are trees that have long needles in place of leaves. They have needles attached to the tree year-long and are resistant to cold weather and harsh conditions.
Instead of flowers like other trees, conifers will get cones as they bud. These trees do an excellent job at surviving in particularly cold or dry conditions.
The largest and most concentrated forests in Oregon are coniferous, which account for nearly 86% of all the forests in Oregon. Within the coniferous forests, Douglas fir trees account for over one-third of the total trees and vegetation. These trees are incredibly hardy, green all year round, and can grow large and strong.
In Oregon specifically, several hemlock forests run along the crest of the Cascade mountains. Other conifer tree species found in Oregon include Englemann spruce and lodgepole pine trees. There are also plenty of true firs in the area.
Rainforest
Even though many people associate the rainforest with tropical climates, there is a rainforest located in Oregon. To qualify as a rainforest, the area simply needs to receive more than 60 inches of precipitation a year. In Oregon, the rainforest gets a whopping 180 inches of rain every year, making this a temperate rainforest.
The Valley of the Giants is the rainforest in Oregon, about 31 miles away from Lincoln City. This area encompasses 51 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This natural area is protected, and the Siletz River runs through the nature area.
You can expect to find plenty of old-growth trees in the mature forest within the rainforest, which reach great heights. Like the rest of Oregon, the majority of the old-growth forest in this area are conifers.
Ancient Forest
One trademark feature of Oregon’s forest diversity is the amount of old-growth within the area. Many people consider old-growth trees anything that has survived for longer than 100 or 150 years. However, in Oregon, trees can be ancient, and some can live to be 600 to 1,000 years old.
There are several cedar groves in the Opal Creek wilderness area that contain ancient trees. Other areas with ancient forests include the Big Bottom area around the Clackamas River. Although it is still considered an ancient forest, the areas around Mount Hood are much younger, and many trees are between 100 and 150 years of age.
While an old-growth forests can survive through climate changes and external conditions, they are shrinking at an alarming rate. Today, less than 10% of Oregon’s ancient forests remain. Much of the land has been reclaimed for logging due to the immense size of these strong and powerful trees. The US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management help manage and protect the ancient forest land in Oregon.
Boreal Forest
Much of the true boreal forest types are located in the north, populating much of Canada, Alaska, and Russia. These forests are defined by their resistance to extremely cold weather. Many of the trees that live in Boreal forests are thick evergreens or conifers, although it is possible to find particularly hardy deciduous trees as well.
Boreal forests are usually home to cold-weather animals like reindeer and caribou, which are not found as far south as Oregon.
The Pacific Northwest in the United States is home to several coniferous forests, which give the look and feel of a boreal forest type. However, the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon, is just too far south to experience the brutal and harsh weather that true boreal forests experience year after year. Instead, Oregon is home to rich conifer forests that have the same appearance.
FAQs
Learning about Oregon’s forests is fascinating and informative, with so many differentiators and distinguishing features that make these forests so special. However, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to understand everything Oregon has to offer. Below, to better help you understand the forest types in Oregon, we have put together a list of commonly asked questions surrounding the forests.
Hopefully, these answers help give you a better understanding of the many forest types in Oregon.
Where are the huge trees in Oregon?
There are several species of trees in Oregon, and many are conifers that reach towering heights. Some of the largest trees in Oregon are cedars, while others are western hemlocks. The largest trees, though, are Douglas fir trees which regularly reach over 100 meters high.
These tall trees are usually concentrated around Coos, Lane, and Douglas county.
What types of animals live in Oregon’s forest?
Oregon is home to many species of animals, including a wide range of birds that like the area because of its desirable wildlife habitat. One of the most common bird species in Oregon is the spotted owl. It is also possible the habitat of northern flickers, American robins, chickadees, and goldfinch.
In total, there are 542 different bird species in Oregon. Other animals that live in the forest habitat include elk, mountain lions, river otters, and black bears.
What is the biggest forest in Oregon?
The largest forest in Oregon is Willamette National Forest, located in Willamette Valley. This forest occupies nearly 1.7 million acres of land in the state. Other large forests to visit in Oregon include Fremont National Forest and Deschutes National Forest.
What is the most common tree in Oregon?
Oregon is home to several coniferous forests, so it makes sense that Oregon’s most commonly found tree is also a conifer. A Douglas fir tree is the most common tree type in the state of Oregon.
How many forest types are there in Oregon?
There are two main forest types in Oregon. The majority of forest types in Oregon consist of conifer forests or even mixed conifer forest combinations. These forests consist of evergreen trees that have needles instead of leaves. There is also a small area of Oregon that has a rainforest.
While the state may look similar to other boreal forests, this is technically not a boreal area. Oregon is too far south to have the boreal climate and animals common in boreal forests.
What percentage of Oregon is forest?
Almost half of Oregon is forested, with 48% of the state covered with forest area. Although this may seem like a decent amount of area, the old-growth forests are only 10% of what they once were due to logging and ongoing deforestation in the area.
- PREMIUM QUALITY: A combination of premium texture and granule size made with 100% bentonite clay for maximum clumping creates litter particles that are just the right size.
- LOW DUST: Ideal for cats and owners who suffer from allergies with a 99.9% dust-free and hypoallergenic litter formulation.
- HARD CLUMPING: Hard clumping medium grain clay helps prevent moisture from reaching the bottom of the tray and forms hard clumps that won't break down, making it easier to scoop.
- SUPERIOR ODOR CONTROL: Formulated for single or multi-cat households with natural ingredients to keep your home smelling clean and fresh between litter box cleanings.
- LOW TRACKING: A unique formulation of medium grain clay helps keep litter in the box where it belongs.
- FOUNDED IN 1987: Dr. Elsey’s is a veterinarian-owned cat product brand dedicated to creating products that solve the complex needs of pet owners. Founded in 1987 with the first all-natural clumping cat litter, Dr. Elsey’s line of products has since grown to include a variety of premium litters that address the health and behavioral needs of cats in every stage of life.
- It’s Not Water: Pooph is totally fragrance free because it eliminates odor instead of covering it up! Pooph contains no harsh chemicals—it’s a proprietary mineral-based formula so clean and pure you could actually mistake it for pure natural spring water until you actually use it and see for yourself how miraculously it works!
- Risk-Free Guarantee: Try POOPH for 30 days and if you aren’t happy, simply return it for a 100% no-hassle refund. Just send us a message via your Amazon order page and we’ll take care of the rest!
- Instant & Safe: Instantly and safely freshens and dismantles puppy, dog, cat, pet, and litter urine and feces odors on a molecular basis – so they never return! Safe for people, pets, plants, and the planet!
- Eliminates: Safely eliminates (doesn’t just cover up) urine, feces, vomit, and other pet odors that may invite your pets to defecate in the same spot over and over
- No stains & Fragrance Free: Contains a clear, odorless, and non-staining formula that freshens and eliminates odors and will not stain carpets, clothing, toys, and more - use in every room in your house
- Open four-arm frame design protects the blade and does not trap dirt in the case
- Lightweight case for easy handling and transport
- Dual-material grip elevated above the reel prevents contact between reel and knuckles
- Versatile folding end hook for use in multiple applications
- Rewind reel tucks away for protection during storage
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
- Amazon.com Gift Cards can only be used to purchase eligible goods and services on Amazon.com and certain related sites as provided in the Amazon.com Gift Card Terms and Conditions. To purchase a gift card for use on an Amazon website in another country, please visit: Amazon.ca, Amazon.cn, Amazon.fr, Amazon.de, Amazon.in, Amazon.it, Amazon.co.jp, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.es, or Amazon.com.au.
- ROLL ON: Our compact and convenient dog poop bag refill rolls help you keep poop bags where you need them–everywhere.
- DURABLE & LEAKPROOF: Extra long, extra strong and 100% leak-proof guaranteed to keep hands clean on the go.
- BETTER BAGS : A new generation of high quality & durable dog poop bags made from 65% certified post-consumer recycled plastic. Giving a second life to over 5 million pounds of landfill-bound plastic a year recycled plastic.
- OUR MISSION: At Earth Rated, We are on a mission to make life with dogs simpler and better. We are also proudly B Corp Certified.
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: This pack includes 270 lavender scented Earth Rated dog poop bags that measure 9"x13" on 18 refill rolls.
- Contains one (1) 40 ounce package of small dog treats with real bone marrow (packaging may vary)
- The dog biscuit shell encases a real bone marrow center, delicious treats that you can feel good about giving
- Crunchy on the outside and meaty on the inside, our MaroSnacks dog snacks are a satisfying combo of texture and mouthwatering flavor
- Savory treats with calcium, perfect for dogs of all sizes
- Baked with love in Buffalo, New York, USA, with colors from natural ingredients only
- PREMIUM QUALITY: A combination of premium texture and granule size made with 100% bentonite clay for maximum clumping creates litter particles that are just the right size.
- LOW DUST: Ideal for cats and owners who suffer from allergies with a 99.9% dust-free and hypoallergenic litter formulation.
- HARD CLUMPING: Hard clumping medium grain clay helps prevent moisture from reaching the bottom of the tray and forms hard clumps that won't break down, making it easier to scoop.
- SUPERIOR ODOR CONTROL: Formulated for single or multi-cat households with natural ingredients to keep your home smelling clean and fresh between litter box cleanings.
- LOW TRACKING: A unique formulation of medium grain clay helps keep litter in the box where it belongs.
- NO MORE HAIR EVERYWHERE: The ultimate pet hair roller for effective dog and cat hair removal. Far superior to traditional lint rollers for pet hair or sticky rollers, the ChomChom ensures deep cleaning.
- CONVENIENT: Take the ‘fur’ out of ‘furniture’ once and for all! Ideal for cleaning couches, pillows, rugs, and more. Whether it's furniture, your car, or a carpet, this pet lint roller is an essential tool for all pet owners.
- VERSATILE: Not just a dog lint roller, it's adept at cat hair removal too. The lint roller for pet hair extra sticky capability ensures every strand is picked up, leaving your spaces hair-free.
- EASY TO USE: Just roll back and forth along any surface to trap fur and lint into the built-in receptacle. When you’re all done, just press down on the release button to open the pet fur remover and empty it out completely. Purr-fectly simple!
- SUSTAINABLE - This reusable lint roller requires no adhesives or sticky tape, and can be used again and again.
