Officials Need Help Collecting Oregon Ash Tree Seeds, Even on the Coast

Published 08/05/25 at 5:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Salem, Oregon) - The USDA Forest Service and Oregon State University, in collaboration with regional partners, are leading a large-scale seed collection initiative this fall to help protect Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia) from the destructive emerald ash borer (EAB). Volunteers across British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California are invited to participate as citizen seed collectors.

Even those on the Oregon coast are asked to help, although it usually involves areas of the coast range and away from the actual beaches.

The campaign aims to gather seeds from across the tree’s natural range in hopes of identifying rare genetic resistance to EAB, an invasive insect that has devastated ash populations throughout North America. Without intervention, Oregon’s only native ash species is at serious risk.

A virtual training workshop for prospective volunteers will be held Thursday, August 14, from 12 to 1 p.m. The session will cover seed collection techniques and shipping procedures. Individuals, youth groups, clubs, and community organizations are encouraged to participate. Advance registration is required and can be completed at this link. For questions, contact OSU Extension Forester Dan Stark at dan.stark@oregonstate.edu.

Stark said there are not a lot of the trees on the actual coastline – but you will find them there.

“Oregon ash do not occur naturally here on the coast, but many are planted as street trees and in small woodlands,” Stark told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. “It also does occur in the eastern parts of coastal counties. Green ash is also planted and is also a host of EAB. “

Collected seeds will be sent to the USDA Forest Service Dorena Genetic Resource Center in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Researchers will preserve a portion for long-term gene conservation and use others to test for EAB resistance. The goal is to identify resilient genotypes that could help restore and protect ash populations in the western U.S.

This initiative builds on earlier efforts led by the Oregon Department of Forestry, which collected nearly one million seeds prior to EAB’s arrival in the Pacific Northwest. That work was supported by volunteers and agencies from California to British Columbia.

Since its introduction in Michigan over 20 years ago, EAB has virtually eliminated native ash trees in affected regions. Scientists warn that Oregon ash could suffer the same fate without swift and coordinated conservation action.

Preserving Oregon ash is critical to maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance in riparian forests across the West. With resistance to EAB extremely rare, every seed collected could hold the key to future restoration.

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