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Cutting trees for good fun and for the good of the forest

Deschutes Land Trust's Annual Christmas tree hunt

Land Trust's annual tree hunt offers fun and festive activity for holiday season.

Deschutes Land Trust tree Hunt. Photo: Jay Mather.

For the last six years local families have gathered each December to help a local conservation group in a unique way—by cutting trees. Armed with saws, rope and a quest for adventure, they come one-by-one or with their extended family to the Deschutes Land Trust’s annual Metolius Preserve Tree Hunt. They leave: trees hanging off the car, pink cheeks and smiles all around, knowing they’ve helped restore a native ponderosa pine forest.

Ponderosa pine forests once used to dominate the Land Trust’s 1,240 acre Metolius Preserve. Over the years fire suppression has changed the forest leaving the Preserve with overcrowded stands of grand firs—conveniently a favorite type of Christmas tree. Cutting the firs as Christmas trees helps reduce overcrowding and encourages the growth of ponderosa pines.

“It was such a community effort to acquire and protect the Metolius Preserve back in 2003. When winter came that first year it just seemed like the natural thing to invite our supporters back out to be a part of the restoration with a little celebration” said Brad Chalfant the Land Trust’s executive director.

And come they have. Each year more than 100 people troop out to the Preserve though snow, sleet and sun to find their perfect Christmas tree. “"It's enough just to be outside on that marvelous, protected land. But by cutting down a fir tree, we are doing more than decorating and bringing forest-fragrance to our home; we are also helping to restore the forest. That's like three gifts in one!" said Martha Lussenhop a Sisters resident who has cut her tree since 2005.

And so the tradition continues. The Land Trust provides the trees and hot drinks and celebrates the season with friends, families and a mission to conserve more lands so the Tree Hunt can continue to be there for the local community year after year.

This year’s tree hunt is December 6th, 10am-2pm and the Land Trust has invited those that have worked to conserve these lands. If you’d like to attend please contact Sarah Mowry at sarah@deschuteslandtrust.org or 330-0017.

Deschutes Land Trust
Lands in trust protected forever

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. Since 1995, the Land Trust has protected more than 7,200 acres in Central Oregon. For more on information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

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