Travel Interstate 84 through Oregon, just south of the Washington border, and you’ll a farm of strikingly pretty, ramrod straight trees planted in neat rows. Tree farms are common in the Northwest, but this one stands out because they’re cultivating hardwoods. The Pacific Albus is a hybrid Poplar with characteristics similar to Aspen and Cottonwood.
The 30,000-acre farm is a collaboration between The Collins Companies and the Forest Stewardship Council, along with the GreenWood Tree Farm Fund and GreenWood Resources. It is FSC “Pure” certified (SCS-COC-001855) under the principles and criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council.
Pacific Albus, since it grows quicker than most hardwood species, is not known for the strength normally associated with hardwoods, but, is very useful for moulding, millwork, hobby panels, pallet stock, recreational vehicle parts, landscape timbers, etc. The tree farm provides consistently straight, uniform stock and can be propagated to meet demand.
Scott Sines
