What Happened to This Amazing Tree Farm in Boardman?

One of the many landmarks I used to enjoy during my trips to and from the Oregon Coast was the 6-mile stretch of hybrid poplar trees near Boardman, Oregon. The trees, all perfectly aligned, were a stunning eye-catching roadside attraction. So much so, the owners of the tree farm had to post no trespassing and no parking signs.

Who didn’t have the urge to stop and gaze into the deep miles-wide man-made forest? And, the absolutely gorgeous display of colors in the fall took many a breath away. Even without leaves the perfectly planted crop drew the eye.

Why were so many trees planted?

Poplar trees are harvested on a 12-year cycle, so in order to be profitable for the tree farm, the trees had to be spread out over 25,000 acres.

What are poplar trees used for?

Poplar tree wood has many uses. One of the most poplar, I mean, popular uses, is to make plywood. Other uses of poplar include; paper products, wood paneling, musical instruments like guitars, wood pallets, woodworking, furniture, or just plain old firewood. The trees are even used for landscaping highlights in yards and businesses.

What replaced the tree farm in Boardman?

In 2016, the 25,000 acres of poplar trees were removed and later replaced with a dairy farm and potato farm.