In a release dated October 9th, Freres Lumber Company explains their new vision to turn travesty into good stewardship of the land.

After devastating losses, Freres says that it intends to process more timber between now and spring of 2021, than they've ever done in a single year. Without being able to access, and fully assess the damage due to road closures, Freres has laid out a plan to move to higher elevations, and salvage every tree possible. In the statement Freres refers to a quote from environmental groups, "Environmental groups have characterized salvage logging as ‘mugging a burn victim’ in the past."

It goes on to say "To the contrary, we believe that salvage logging and replanting are our responsibility as stewards of our private lands. It is an investment that we make in the future of the company and the Santiam Canyon. Though many of us alive today may not see it, our children may one day hike through acres of towering Douglas Fir instead of devastated, fire-created moonscapes."

Freres is nearly 100 years old, and employs countless workers, paying family wage jobs. The companies include Freres Lumber Co., Inc, Freres Timber, and Evergreen BioPower LLC. Freres Lumber has three manufacturing locations in the Santiam Canyon, all ravaged by fires.

The true indomitable spirit of Oregon shines through, as companies work hard to keep employees hired, and find new ways to rise to the times, in the face of adversity. Freres opines that customers may not be able to "stomach a full diet of burnt logs", "Storing and handling become an enormous concern if we need to segregate our log inventory".

Freres holds out concerns over the quality of the salvaged wood, claiming it could come down to nursery log material, rather than building grade material. The difference is a huge risk, and gamble for this company, but they're willing to take it on, out of a commitment to the environment, sustainability, future generations, and a heart for excellent stewardship.


--Breeauna Sagdal

Post Date: 2020-10-13 07:15:20

Last Update: 2020-10-12 23:30:41