Oregon Forests

The forests of Oregon are lush, thick pine forests, full of wildlife. They are close to California, a long day’s drive from San Luis Obispo where I live, but they seem worlds away in appearance. California’s coastal forests are sparser, and are distinctly Mediterranean. They also have a tropical feel that Oregon lacks completely.

The Willamette Valley is stunning. One of the best times to see it is in July or August when the sun is bright overhead, but even today, in May, the valley is a sight to see. It isn’t as big as the central valley in California, but it is nonetheless massive. A drive from the south end by Eugene up to Portland takes two hours on the fastest route. Along the whole drive, mountains line either side in two parallel ranges, much like the Sierra Nevada and costal ranges far to the south.

Farms, wetlands, and forests abound throughout the Willamette Valley. A common sight is the Christmas tree farms that dot some of the hillsides near the edges of the valley. The farms contain row after row of young pine trees in various stages of development, but any given section of a farm contains trees of exactly the same age. For this reason, the tree farms look unnatural. The middle of the valley is flat, without a single hill interrupting its planar surface. It’s never truly flat though, because trees and other vegetation are everywhere. Oregon is known for its rainy weather, and the greenness of the landscape proves it. The landscape of western Oregon is a beautiful collection of wildlife and forests.