“I plant about 6,000 to 7,000 trees per year,” said Woodard. “My wife jokes that she considers herself a ‘tree planting widow’ from December through April or May, because I’m out there planting all of those trees myself. It’s a great experience, though, being able to work out in the woods.”

Woodard keeps wildlife in mind, whenever possible, while performing forest management activities. He has created ponds on his property in wetland areas to improve habitat for duck, deer and other species. Three of his 11 ponds also act as a resource for fire protection. A number of trails have been constructed to improve fire protection access, as well as provide recreation. He allows access for hunters, hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and others to enjoy his property.

Noting the trend of larger companies buying certified lumber, Woodard is quick to advocate the benefits of tree farm certification. Once a paid tree farm certifier, he now does it on a volunteer basis. “I urge the many thousands of eligible private landowners in Oregon who aren’t a member of the Tree Farm System to consider the benefits of becoming certified. Already, there are big companies out there that won’t buy logs without it (certification).” 

Woodard actively promotes tree farming by hosting tours for the Oregon Forest Resources Institute and forestland owners and foresters from other countries. “I’ve shown off Oregon’s mills, tree nurseries, old growth forests and tree farms to folks from South and Central America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. I have a registered business called ‘Woods Quest—helping others know the West.’ It’s not for profit, but a way for me to help educate others."

A highlight in Woodard’s career was his involvement in a collaborative effort to supply logs for the National Arbor Day Foundation’s Lied Conference Center in Nebraska City, NB. Woodard donated a truckload of logs from his property for the project and worked with Weyerhaeuser, the Lane County Small Woodlands Association, and the Society of American Foresters to secure six additional truckloads. “The logs really helped create a warm, woodsy feel in the center,” said Woodard.

On Saturday, June 11, the Woodard’s will host an annual tour of their tree farm. To obtain further details, contact Steve Bowers, Oregon State University Extension, Lane County, 1-800-872-8980.

Oregon's state runner-up for Tree Farmer of the Year 2004 was Bert and Betty Vanderwall, Baker County; western runner-up was Loren and Sylvia Bowman, Clackamas County; and eastern runner-up was Dale Decker and his family, Union County.

Each year, local groups of Oregon Department of Forestry foresters, consulting foresters, and forestry extension agents meet with the Oregon Small Woodland Owners' Association chapters to select county Tree Farmer of the Year award recipients. Oregon's State Tree Farm winner is selected from the county winners and competes in the Western Regional competition that represents 13 states. The National Tree Farmer of the Year Finalist is selected from four U.S. regional winners.

The 2003 county winners include: Baker County – Bert and Betty Vanderwall, Haines, OR; Benton County – Wayne and Connie Weaver, Blodgett, OR; Clackamas County – Loren and Sylvia Bowman, Estacada, OR; Columbia County – Rod and Sandra Nastrom, Warren, OR; Curry County – Roy W. Hendrick III and Pattie A. Hendrick, Brookings, OR; Jackson County – Marty and Peggy Main, Medford, OR; Lane County – Steve Woodard, Cottage Grove, OR; Lincoln County – Barclay Family Trust, Tidewater, OR; Linn County – Aaron and Shawn White, Scio, OR; Union County – Dale Decker and family, LaGrande, OR; and Washington County – Lyal, Sandy, Justin and Collin Purinton, Buxton, OR.

Oregon joined the Tree Farm System in 1941 and has selected an Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year every year since 1966. The state has had three National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year award winners: Bert and Betty Udall, Lebanon, 1982; Wayne and Colleen Krieger, Gold Beach, 1993; and Ron and Barbara Bentz, Scio, 2002.

Article and photos by Arlene Whalen, Oregon Dept. of Forestry