In this episode of the ‘In the Woods’ podcast, hosted by Jacob Putney from the Oregon State University’s Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program, fire specialist and assistant professor of practice Micah Schmidt shares his expertise. Schmidt details the intricate process of selecting sample sites, collecting tree ring samples, and analyzing them to understand past forest conditions and fire histories. The episode explores how this research informs current forest management and how fire has shaped forests over centuries.

Quote: “Think about if you were walking out here 200 years ago what it might have looked like; I think it’ll give you a little bit different look and idea of what you’re doing out on the forestland. Obviously we have to look at what is there now, but looking at what was there historically can help inform our management decisions.”

– Micah Schmidt, North East Regional Fire Specialist

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Resources Mentioned

• Tree Ring Lab (TRL), College of Forestry, Oregon State University
• James Johnston, Assistant Research Professor, University of Oregon
• Trees, Stumps, and Growth Rings. Life on the Dry Side. Spring 2024. Oregon State University.
• Fire Ecology of Oregon Forests. Webinar Series.
• Life on the Dry Side newsletter.

Favorite Tree(s)

• Sugar Pine & Western Larch

Interesting/Helpful Tools