Dorris Ranch Orchard Replacement

Willamalane has completed the third phase of the orchard replacement project at Dorris Ranch. This work will help protect the orchards from Eastern Filbert Blight, a fungus that slowly kills filbert trees and has affected nearly all mature filberts at Dorris Ranch. For years, Willamalane has tried various methods to manage the blight. However, replacing infected trees with blight-resistant varieties is the only long-term solution to preserve the orchards and the legacy of Dorris Ranch. For a glimpse into the Orchard’s past and its future, read this article.

Orchard Removal (Now Complete)

40 acres of affected trees in the Briggs, Clump, Cherry, Back Walnut, Goat, and Walnut South orchards were carefully removed and mulched back into the soil to retain nutrients and improve water retention. This phase of the orchard replacement project was supported by a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This work will significantly reduce the need to treat these orchards for Eastern Filbert Blight, resulting in fewer chemical treatments and closures at Dorris Ranch.

Replanting (Now Complete)

In January 2025, Willamalane planted 3,500 blight-resistant filbert trees throughout the orchards. One orchard, the Road Orchard, remains untouched to preserve the history of the park. The Road Orchard will serve as a physical record of the early spacing, growth habits, and management practices of pioneer farmers. It will also preserve the park's listing in the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest commercial filbert orchard in the United States. 

For these trees to flourish, we need your help. Please respect the orchards by staying on designated paths and leashing your pets. If you see suspicious activity at Dorris Ranch, please call the park hotline at (541) 736-4104.