Saving ailing forests – by logging

Logging Trucks in Oregon in 2020. Government agencies control much of the land in the Western half of the country, and some environmentalists say officials favour logging over conservation. — ©2024 The New York Times Company

ACROSS a patch of the Pacific Northwest, one of North America’s most important tree species is dying at an alarming rate. This spring, as in the past several years, the needles on Douglas firs are yellowing, turning red and then dropping to the ground in forests across southwestern Oregon.

Experts blame a combination of factors, including insect attacks, drought and increased temperatures caused by climate change. Decades of fire suppression have exacerbated problems by disrupting the natural balance of ecosystems.