Putney

Tree School East, a one-day event with a variety of classes on forest management, wildlife habitat, rangeland management and many more topics among 27 available classes, is returning to Baker City for the first time in five years.

The event, presented by the Oregon State University Extension Service, is set for Friday, June 30 at Baker High School, 2500 E St.

Tree School East traditionally took place every two years. The last event was 2018, and it was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, said Jacob Putney, OSU extension forester in Baker and Grant counties.

Putney, as it happens, started that job in August 2019. He had worked on the schedule for the 2020 Tree School when the pandemic started.

Putney said he considered bringing the event back in 2022, but the uncertainty about the pandemic during late 2021 and into early 2022 was an issue, since preparation for Tree School typically starts the previous fall.

Ultimately, he decided to wait until 2023.

“I think that worked out for the best as we had plenty of time to plan,” Putney said.

During his nearly four years as the local OSU Extension forester, Putney said many people, including the small private woodland owners for whom some of the Tree School courses are designed, have asked him frequently when the event would return.

He’s excited that he can finally answer that question.

“We’re hoping to put on a good event,” Putney said.

About 40 people have already signed up for classes, and Putney said he’s hoping to attract at least 100.

Classes are 90 minutes each, except for several topics which are half-day courses. Participants sign up for up to four classes. Coffee, refreshments, snacks and a catered lunch will be served.

Registration fee is $60 for adults and $15 for children 17 and younger, who must be accompanied by an adult.

Participants can pick up their packets, with schedule and room assignments, starting at 7:30 a.m. in the BHS commons. There will be an orientation at around 8:20 a.m., with classes beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event wraps up around 4:30 p.m.

A sampling of course topics:

• Stream restoration

• Forest health

• Geology of the Blue Mountains

• Noxious weed control in forests

• Forest diseases

• Juniper management

• Succession planning

• Forest insect pests

• Inventorying your forest

• Selection, care and maintenance of landscape trees

• Small-scale sawmills

• Chain saw use

More information, including registration forms and a description of each of the 27 classes, is available at the Tree School East website, https://beav.es/tree-school-east. Registration must be done by June 23 (no registration the day of the event).