Fiber Farms A Fiber Supply Option, 1995 Global Fiber Supply Symposium Proceedings

Donald E. Rice

James River Timber Corp. Inc.

WHAT ARE FIBER FARMS?

Fiber Farms are the production of wood fiber using agricultural sites and management. Fiber Farms in the Northwest grow hybrid cottonwood on farm sites for six to eight years.

Hybrid cottonwood grown for 10 years or less is recognized in Washington and Oregon as an agricultural crop.

LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER FIBER FARM

James Rivers, Lower Columbia River Fiber Farm is located along the Columbia River bottomlands from Portland, Oregon to Illwaco, Washington. The Fiber Farm consists of approximately 11,000 acres half leased and half owned. Of this total approximately 2,200 acres are in wildlife habitats, allowing a harvest of 1,200 acres per year on a sustained rotation growing the trees for six years and using the seventh year to harvest and site prep for replanting.

The trees generally grow five to seven feet tall the first year. Each following year the trees grow approximately 11 to 13 feet. In six years, the cottonwoods are about 60 feet tall and six to seven inches in diameter.

The hardwood fiber is harvested and delivered as two products, Clean chips are used at the Wauna, Oregon mill. Hogfuel is used at the Camas, Washington mill.